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5th Annual Heartland Walk for Warmth takes place this week

The 5th Annual Heartland Walk for Warmth takes place tomorrow (Thursday) at 6:00 p.m. at Westroads Mall.

Kathy O’Hara, Spokesperson for United Way of the Midlands, says the event helps raise funds for energy assistance programs.  She says the organization has seen a 30% increase in requests for help with energy assistance over the past year.  O’Hara says the Walk for Warmth is a one mile walk outside.  She says even though it’s been a milder winter, it can get cold in the house when you can’t afford to turn the heat on…

"About a fourth of all the calls to United Way’s 211 line are people seeking utility assistance.  A third of all the people helped by The Red Cross’ energy assistance program are the elderly.  It’s something to keep in mind that you’re talking about people that may be on fixed incomes.  You may be talking about families that are on a lower income basis.  We just want to make sure we are out in the community and rounding up as many people as we can who are willing to help out.”

To register for the walk, the website is heartlandwalkforwarmth.org.  Participants may also register the day of the walk at 5:00 p.m.