This blog is part of a series on Walk for Warmth.
Walk for Warmth, which occurred on Feb. 17, was a glowing success. Eighty-nine community members—from toddlers to adults—joined together to spark hope. They walked through downtown Anchorage to raise awareness about the impact cold homes have on people. Everyone was bundled up. Many people carried signs, and even more wore United Way of Anchorage blue and white beanies.
Joy buzzed through the crowd, and hope radiated from attendees. Several walkers reflected on what motivated them to attend the event.
“For me, since I’m in a better place now, I try not to forget what it was like before,” said Deatrice, a first-time participant at Walk for Warmth. “Some people are still in a tough spot—and in a moment it can get harder for them.”
Carlos and Diane have come to Walk for Warmth since it started about 10 years ago, usually bringing their dog, relatives, friends and fellow Rotarians. “We try to support anything United Way works on,” Carlos said, “Walk for Warmth is particularly important because it helps people who are struggling to pay their heating bills.”
ENSTAR Natural Gas Company, Walk for Warmth’s co-host, committed $10,000. This donation along with all the other funds raised goes entirely to offsetting household expenses in our community. We’re still accepting donations. As of Feb. 23, $12,469 will be passed to two nonprofit recipients: Shiloh Community Housing and Lutheran Social Services. They have programs and processes that allow them to assess community members’ needs and contribute to their bills. People can still donate to this cause too.
Moira Smith, Vice President and General Counsel at ENSTAR, acknowledged that we may forget that access to heat is a privilege some people don’t have. “As a result, we dedicate our time, energy and, yes, money to help this cause.” Current and former ENSTAR employees believe in this cause too and attended Walk for Warmth.
Gordon, one ENSTAR employee, noted, “We get a lot of calls from people who need help paying their heating bills.” Sarah, his partner, seconded his sentiments and added, “The cold weather here makes it a hard place to live if you can’t warm up.”
Neither Gordon, Sarah nor their dog, Tofu, had taken part in an earlier Walk for Warmth. However, Leslie, a retired ENSTAR employee who worked there over 30 years, still cares about the cause and came out, once again, to show her support.
“There are many hardworking people in Anchorage who can’t keep up with the costs of utilities, which just keep going up.” Leslie continued, commenting on how awareness can spark conversations that lead to addressing heat access issues. Watch media coverage of the event.
To everyone who supported Walk for Warmth by attending the event or making a donation, thank you! You’ve added a spark of hope that can warm our community members.
