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Monday, March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024

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Energy Adviser: Charity run to warm low-income families

The Columbian
Published:

It’s the season of giving and a time for warm, festive, family fun. In the spirit of the holidays, mark your calendars for the first Clark Public Utilities Race for Warmth to benefit Operation Warm Heart.

The race will be Feb. 8, just as your New Year’s resolutions are put to the test. Registration is open now at www.ClarkPublicUtilities.com. The proceeds will help local families in financial crisis pay winter heating bills.

Utility customers and employees are the consistent source of tax-deductible donations for funding Operation Warm Heart. Over several decades, the program has provided $2.4 million to about 11,000 in-crisis customers who didn’t qualify for other government programs that might help pay their winter bills. As other government resources declined, increasing numbers of low-income families with emergency need turn to Operation Warm Heart for assistance.

“We’ve been looking for ideas to highlight Operation Warm Heart,” said Heather Allmain, communications services manager for the utility. “A race looked like a fun way to create more awareness and involve community members, too.”

Similar runs are popular with other utilities. The utility has investigated the possibility of a race event since spring. With board approval, the work began whole-heartedly in the summer, and all plans are in place to race on Feb. 8 starting and finishing at the Clark Public Utilities downtown Vancouver location.

The $30 fee includes a drawstring goody bag, Race for Warmth T-shirt, snacks and automatic entry into the drawings during the race. Registration closes on Feb. 7, the day before the race. Packet pickup will be Friday and Saturday on the race weekend. But, you might want to register early if you’d like a T-shirt in your preferred size from the inaugural run.

“For a lot of fans of fun runs and walks, these events become an annual tradition,” said Maxie Lofton, race coordinator. “Our employees have a lot of love for Operation Warm Heart because we see the impact it has on families first hand. We are looking forward to getting the community out in support of the program. Plus it will be a great time for the whole family.”

Unlike some other races, this one includes a free run for kids ages 5 to 8 starting at 8:30 a.m. The 10K-race and the 5K-run and 5K-walk follow, beginning in the utility parking lot. All participants in the kids race will receive a prize. The top three competitors in the other races also will receive prizes.

The course route will take runners and walkers through the historic Fort Vancouver and along the Columbia River waterfront. Utility employee volunteers will be staged along the route with refreshments at water stations.

Area Heating and Cooling is the main sponsor, along with Clark Public Utilities. The local contractor has been a long-time supporter of Operation Warm Heart and will be at the event hosting a warming tent.

“Few races happen in February,” said Allmain. “When low-income customers are struggling to stay warm, getting local runners out to race, seemed a way to warm up, warm hearts and warm homes all at the same time.”


Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.

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