The Heartland Walk for Warmth and Run for Fun, an event organized to raise funds for Omaha area Energy Assistance programs, will begin at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23, at Turner Park at Midtown Crossing. This year marks the sixth annual Walk for Warmth.
From 2009 to 2011, there was a 20.9 percent increase in the number of Omaha area households requesting assistance with their utility bills, according to Tracey Christensen, event chairperson.
“From being out of work to mounting medical bills and other difficult circumstances, the need for this service continues to grow,” Christensen said.
According to Susan Eustice, Divisional Director of Public Relations and Communications at the Salvation Army, the energy bill can be “quite the burden” when added to the cost of providing for children, buying groceries and paying rent.
“Some people take drastic measures to heat their home, like turning on their stoves to keep their houses warm. This method of heating a house can be very dangerous,” Eustice said.
Paula Steenson, whose company — Paula Presents! — is the event and campaign manager for Heartland Walk for Warmth and Run for Fun, explained that one of the reasons this event was created at this time of the year was to make people realize just what it is like to be out in the cold without heat.
“[This year] We hope to raise more than $100,000 and register at least 1,000 participants,” Christensen said.
In order to meet these goals, the walk has been slightly altered from past years. To attract more participants, Christensen noted, the event was moved from a Friday evening to a Saturday morning, and a five kilometer run was added.
“We moved the event to Turner Park at Midtown Crossing, which is a great venue and an opportunity to raise more funds through the Restaurant Month promotion,” Christensen said.
From February 1-28, according to Christensen, all restaurants in Midtown Crossing are graciously donating a portion of the month’s proceeds to support the Heartland Walk for Warmth and Run for Fun.
One way Creighton students can get involved with the Walk for Warmth and Run for Fun is by participating in the walk or run, individually or with a team.
Registration for the walk is $25 while registration for the run is $35. Each person participating will receive an event stocking cap. Check-in at the event is from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Those interested in participating in the event should register online at www.HeartlandWalkforWarmth.org.
Another way Creighton students can get involved is by making a donation. This is the first year that the Walk for Warmth and Run for Fun has offered a text to donate option, according to Christensen. By texting HWFW to 80077, students can make a $10 donation.
Additionally, the Walk for Warmth and Run for Fun is a great opportunity to take care of some of those community service hours.
“Community volunteers bring the event to life,” Steenson said. “The actual event has many different elements — registration, handing out materials, being on the walk route, being on the run route, welcoming participants and making them feel a part of the event. Without volunteers, that doesn’t happen.”
Steenson also noted that any student interested in volunteering should contact her via email at [email protected] or phone at (402) 346-3950.
“We welcome student organizations, fraternities and sororities who may want to provide volunteer or community service,” Christensen said.
Volunteering for the Walk for Warmth and Run for Fun is a rewarding experience. Creighton students should volunteer for the Walk for Warmth and Run for Fun, according to Eustice, to acquire a greater depth of understanding for their community and those that are less fortunate.
“The people they [Creighton students] are helping could be their friends and neighbors,” Eustice said.