December 12, 2014, Pontiac & Howell, Mich. – OLHSA, A Community Action Agency, announces its 25th annual Walk for Warmth events in Oakland and Livingston Counties, presented by Genisys Credit Union . Since it began in 1990, OLHSA’s Walk for Warmth has raised over $1.2 million to keep the heat on in the homes of local residents. With another harsh winter looming before us, OLHSA encourages individuals, families, community groups and businesses to register for these indoor walk-a-thon events.
The Oakland County Walk for Warmth will occur on Saturday, February 7 at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills. Registration will begin at 8:00 am with a kick-off scheduled for 9:00 am. Walkers will traverse the .8 mile loop around the mall while enjoying family-friendly entertainment such as live music, games for kids, and health-related activities. Participants will receive coupons for on-site stores, refreshments and a 25th anniversary t-shirt.
The Livingston County Walk for Warmth will occur on Saturday, February 21 at Hartland Education Center in Howell. Registration will begin at 8:30 am and kick-off will occur at 9:00 am. The .25 mile indoor loop will feature areas for dancing to the tunes of DJ Kurt Lewis, Jazzercise, children’s games, refreshments and interaction with local businesses. Door prizes will be drawn and walkers will receive a 25th anniversary t-shirt. The Walk will again be emceed by WHIMI-FM’s Buzz Elliott, who has supported this event for 15 years.
Last year OLHSA’s Walk for Warmth events raised a total of $173,000, with $102,000 coming from Oakland County and $71,000 from Livingston County. “A stand-out feature of this fundraiser is that every single dollar goes directly to keeping people warm,” said Jackie Buchanan, President & CEO of event sponsor Genisys Credit Union. “We are glad to be part of a cause that positively reaches so many in our community.”
Funds are distributed in the counties from which they are raised, ensuring that each event has a significant and direct impact on its local community.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard and Livingston County Undersheriff Michael Murphy have joined forces for the 2015 Walk for Warmth events, raising awareness for the importance of OLHSA’s emergency utility assistance services.
“Last year’s Walk for Warmth events helped over 1,100 people stay warm during an extremely cold winter,” reported Sheriff Bouchard. Undersheriff Murphy continued with “Children and the elderly made up 48 percent of those helped. Donating to Walk for Warmth not only keeps people warmer, it ensures the greater health and safety of our neighbors.”
Online registration for the events is now open. Individuals and teams can sign up and use the new Crowdrise fundraising platform to solicit support and track their fundraising progress. To register visit www.olhsa.org/walk4warmth .
Sponsorship levels begin at $500 and go up to $5,000 and higher. To become a sponsor visit OLHSA.org/Sponsor or contact Ashley Yocum at 248.209.2623 or ashleyy@olhsa.org .
Walk for Warmth is Oakland and Livingston County’s premier Walk-a-Thon event, giving back 100 percent of proceeds to the Emergency Utility Assistance Program at OLHSA, A Community Action Agency. In 2014 Walk for Warmth funds kept 331 Oakland County families warm (749 individuals,) and 135 Livingston County families warm (356 individuals). We would like to thank our 2014 Platinum sponsors including Genisys Credit Union , Bass Pro Shops , Consumers Energy , First National Bank , First Presbyterian Church of Brighton , First United Methodist Church of Howell , Michigan Works!, The Oakland Press , and Rotary Club of Pontiac , for helping keep our neighbors warm.
OLHSA is a Community Action Agency improving the quality of life for people facing crisis while strengthening families, communities, seniors and youth since 1964. Over 187,000 services were provided in 2013 in the pursuit of helping people and changing lives. www.olhsa.org
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