If you’re searching for a way to make up for those seasonal treats of the last two months and also give back to your community, get your running shoes ready and mark your calendar for Jan. 27.
Clark Public Utilities’ Race for Warmth is an opportunity to exercise, have some fun and scratch that competitive itch — all while contributing directly to a good cause. Those who take their fun runs seriously will appreciate that every race is professionally timed.
“The Race for Warmth has turned into a community event that folks look forward to every year. It’s grown every year since we started it five years ago — which is exciting because not only are we bringing people together for a good cause, but we’re also helping our neighbors,” said Maxie Mayer, Clark Public Utilities marketing communications coordinator. “The races begin at staggered times, starting with the kids race at 8:30 a.m. The 3- to 8-year-olds will run around the Clark Public Utilities parking lot at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on an enclosed route. Each child will receive a participation award and goodie bag. The 10k and 5k begin at 9 and 9:05 a.m., respectively.”
Although the economy has been growing for nearly eight years and long-stagnant wages are beginning to climb, not everyone is reaping the same benefits. Many people are still one small crisis away from financial disaster but earn too much to qualify for government heating assistance programs.
Operation Warm Heart is a safety net designed to catch those utility customers before they slip through the cracks. It’s one built with more than 30 years of generous donations made by Clark Public Utilities ratepayers and employees. From the day it began in 1985, the program has provided more than $2.4 million in assistance grants to more than 11,000 families struggling to stay comfortable in the winter.
Race for Warmth is Operation Warm Hearts’ largest single fundraising event of the year. Every dollar of registration fees directly benefits community neighbors suffering a financial crisis and in need of help in paying their heating bills. In fact, the first four years of Race for Warmth raised more than $158,000, which directly assisted just under 530 Clark County households.
Advanced registration costs $30 and is available online now at www.raceforwarmth.com. Early registrants will get a shirt, beanie, gloves and race bag filled with extras. Same-day registration is available for $40 from 7 to 8:30 a.m., but complimentary bag and shirts are not guaranteed.
Kids ages 3-8 can sign up to be part of the free kids fun run online.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of organizing the Race for Warmth is when someone who’s signed up to run the race shares with me that they’ve gotten assistance from it in the past and it’s now their turn to give back,” Mayer said. “That’s really powerful.”
When the races are over, all participants will be invited to an after party, located across the street from Clark Public Utilities’ downtown location at the public library headquarters. There, event participants will be able to enjoy adult beverages and a warm bowl of soup.
But if long walks — let alone runs on a chilly Sunday morning — don’t sound appealing, or you’ve got other obligations, you can still get that warm and fuzzy feeling of accomplishment and generosity with a quick, tax-deductible donation to Operation Warm Heart at RaceForWarmth.com.
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.
