‘Walk for Warmth’ raises money for low-income families

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About one hundred people walked a mile through downtown Mount Pleasant holding signs to show their community support.

The second annual “Walk for Warmth” event for Isabella County aimed to contribute to the overall goal of $25,000 within Isabella, Gratiot, Ionia and Montcalm counties.

The event Saturday was the fifth annual statewide. EightCAP employees come to each walk around the state.

Peggy Martin, chairperson for Continuum of Care, Inc., said the economic crisis makes it hard for people to pay things like utilities and rent that others take for granted.

“We try to prevent people from being homeless,” she said. “There is certainly a need for this in our county.”

Isabella County needs special attention because of the students with big dreams, but no money because of tuition expenses and not having a job, said President of EightCAP John Van Nieuwenhuyzen.

“The $10 an hour isn’t cutting it anymore,” he said. “Those people are below the poverty line, trying to raise a family. They need our assistance.”

John Van Nieuwenhuyzen said he hopes to largely surpass their overall goal to raise $25,000 within the four counties.

“Consumers Energy is our number one sponsor to help us kick this off,” he said. “We appreciate them so much.”

The funds raised for “Walk for Warmth” can be used where the organization sees a need.

“This is like an emergency fund,” he said. “There has been a lot of hurt, a lot of pain and a lot of people that lost their homes.”

Senior Vice President for Generation and Energy Supply Jack Hanson said the company purchases the natural gas for the customers.

“With the economy being bad for so many years, there are so many out there that cannot afford to keep their homes warm,” he said.

Hanson said he feels the pain from the customers that struggle, and the walk is a way to give back to the community through tough times.

“We care about the community and the people in the community,” he said.

Marj Longcore is leading the coordination of the statewide walks.

Longcore said they raise funds for the elderly, disabled and low-income individuals.

“Consumers Energy is matching all the funds being raised by the employees to do the walks,” she said.

Hudsonville graduate student Krista Dornbos and Bridgeport graduate student Alyssa Stanard were walking to help people in any way possible, they both said.

“I just like to do anything I can,” Dornbos said. “I’m just here to keep people warm in the winter.”

Mount Pleasant resident Aimee Goudreau said she came to support her friend that works for EightCAP.

Goudreau said she doesn’t know anyone personally that has trouble paying for heat, but the opportunity to contribute to the cause is rewarding.

“It’s a really great cause,” she said.