Livingston Walk for Warmth steps off Feb. 24 in Hartland

OLHSA, A Community Action Agency, invites the public to its 28th annual Walk for Warmth events, presented by Genisys Credit Union, which raises funds to help keep residents of Oakland and Livingston Counties safe and warm during Michigan winters through emergency services.

“Winter has already been frigid and very challenging for many local residents,” said OLHSA CEO Susan Harding. “The sub-zero temperatures remind us how important it is to support Walk for Warmth. Giving to Walk for Warmth means you’re helping families, many of them with small children and older adults, stay safe and warm.”

OLHSA’s Walk for Warmth events include Oakland Walk for Warmth, held at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills on Feb. 3, 2018, and Livingston Walk for Warmth, held at Hartland Educational Support Service Center in Howell on Feb. 24, 2018. OLHSA is seeking community partners to sponsor the events, along with walkers and supporters.

This year’s Platinum sponsors include First Presbyterian Church of Brighton, KSI Kitchen and Bath, and Brighton Masons.

Both events will be held indoors and will include family entertainment, refreshments and a commemorative T-shirt while supplies last. Walkers who preregister online before Jan. 19 for Oakland and Feb. 9 for Livingston will enjoy the benefit of a reserved commemorative T-shirt.

Howell Rotary members have fun at the 2017 Walk for Warmth.

Livingston Walk for Warmth will begin with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. and a kick-off ceremony at 9 a.m. Walkers will enjoy music provided by DJ Kurt Lewis as they circle a quarter-mile loop. New this year, fairytale celebrities are joining Walk for Warmth. Kids can meet and walk with some of their favorite princesses and storybook characters, and enjoy other family entertainment.

Oakland Walk for Warmth will kick off a bit earlier this year than in the past. Walkers can enter the facility beginning at 7:30 a.m. through Bass Pro Shops. A brief kick-off ceremony will occur at 8:30 a.m. Entertainment will include Genisys Band and games for kids. The first 1,000 walkers will receive an all-day shopping pass and coupons for on-site stores. Walkers can circle a 0.8 mile loop as many or few times as they’d like.

Last year’s Walk for Warmth events raised $172,000, with $92,000 raised in Livingston County and $80,000 raised in Oakland County. Funds stay in the county they are raised, and help local residents like Dale Fracassi and his daughter make it through challenging times.

“Dale was diagnosed with cancer and spent almost a year in the hospital,” said Brent Earl, chair of Livingston Walk for Warmth. “He couldn’t work while he was being treated and he began worrying how he’d keep up with bills. OLHSA was able to provide Dale with one month of utility assistance through Walk for Warmth funds. He is now cancer-free, enjoying life with his daughter, and grateful that OLHSA was there to help them during a very difficult time.”

Watch more about Dale’s story here:

Online registration for the events is now open. Individuals and teams can sign up 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 Erica Karfonta at ericak@olhsa.org.

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 197,000 services were provided in 2016 in the pursuit of helping people and changing lives. For more information, visit www.olhsa.org.

DON’T MISS A BEAT

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

We don’t spam!

Sharing is caring!

The Livingston Post is the only locally owned, all-digital information and opinion site in Livingston County, Mich. It was launched by award-winning journalists who were laid off from the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2009.