Clinton Twp., MI - Registration is now open for the 30th annual Macomb Community Action Walk for Warmth, an indoor 5k which will be held on Saturday, February 29 at 9 a.m. at Macomb Mall.
All funds raised through the event will be used to assist low-income individuals with heat-related emergencies, like paying a utility bill or replacing a broken furnace.
“For over 30 years, Walk for Warmth has been a signature event to help support our neighbors in need during the winter months,” said Ernest Cawvey, director of Macomb Community Action. “Each year, Macomb residents, community partners and our sponsors come together to build upon this outstanding legacy and demonstrate that Macomb County is a community of caring. The Walk for Warmth is very important for Macomb residents and provides essential support to help heat homes every winter. Come join us and participate in the 30th anniversary event. And for those who can't participate, donations can be made to Macomb Community Action's Walk for Warmth Fund.”
Since it began, Walk for Warmth has raised over $750,000 to help ensure that local families can stay warm in their homes throughout the winter. In 2019 alone, the event helped support 37 families and 72 individuals, including:
- Single parent families (22 percent)
- Families at 100 percent of the poverty level (54 percent)
- Children (26 percent)
- Elderly individuals (28 percent)
- Disabled individuals (26 percent)
- Macomb Community Action was able to assist a senior resident using Walk for Warmth funds raised by the community. The resident is a 69-year-old widower who lives alone on a fixed retirement income who was working with MCA to connect to community resources. When it was determined he was behind on his electric bill, MCA was able to assist him to prevent his electricity from being disconnected.
- Walk for Warmth funds were also used to help a mother and her 8-year-old son with their natural gas bill to prevent service disconnection. The mother was employed, but was experiencing health concerns that limited her income and led to her falling behind on her bill. Even with a limited income, the family was ineligible for utility assistance programs that were available and therefore, Walk for Warmth funds were used to assist the family and prevent them from “falling through the cracks.”
Individuals interested in participating in the 2020 Walk for Warmth can find details and a registration link at mca.macombgov.org/mca-W4W. The registration fee is $25. A t-shirt and finisher medal is guaranteed for those who sign up by February 10. Note: On the day of event (Feb. 29), registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9 a.m.