It is warm hearts, warm boots, warm homes time again! Hope Church has participated in the annual Walk for Warmth for several years. It is a way to help families in need in Ottawa County who have fallen behind in heating bills. Information on what Community Action Agency did last year includes:
In the Grand Haven, Ferrysburg, Spring Lake, Fruitport & Nunica area CAA assisted 49 homes for utilities, weatherized 6 houses and helped 78 households with free tax assistance – and provided food to 138 households.
Coopersville, Marne & Conklin / Tallmadge Township: Utility Assistance: 16 households, Weatherization: 2 households, Tax Assistance 3 households and provided food to 63 households
Hudsonville, Jenison & Grandville (Ottawa County Portion)
Utility Assistance: 42 households, Weatherization: 8 households, Tax Assistance 23 households and provided food to 41 households.
Holland, Zeeland & West Olive
Utility Assistance: 278 households, Weatherization: 15 households, Tax Assistance 153, Migrant Program: 49, Lower My Bill (Partner with City of Holland): 61 and provided food to 263 households
Walk for Warmth is one way, with local control and impact, to help families with marginal income and difficulty meeting heating bills.
In prior years, Hope Church members have indicated interest to sponsor a young person(s) from Hope Church who would be willing to ‘walk the walk’. If you are a young person willing “to walk the walk” or a Hope Church member willing to sponsor a young person, please call or text me (616-392-6664) or killilean@comcast.net. Also, there will be a table in the Gathering Area on Sunday, February 5 to sign-up or donate to support Hope Church members who will walk.
Registration for Walk for Warmth begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 11 (no registration fee) at City on a Hill, 100 Pine Street, in Zeeland. There will be good, hot coffee ready. Come and join a brisk 2 mile, well-marked winter walk around downtown Zeeland. Please see me also if rides are needed, if you have questions and, if able, join me in this local, supportive effort!
~Norma Killilea