Walk for Warmth

In the midst of a cold winter, I'm glad I spend most of my time indoors where the heat is turned on. In fact the older I get, the warmer I like to set the thermostat.

It's hard to imagine what life would be like if I had to spend much of my time outdoors in the cold or the heat. For many people, however, they face this uncertainty because they are just one rent check away from being evicted from their home. Others are one utility payment away from having their gas, electric, or water from being turned off.

At the mission, we help keep people in their homes and keep their utilities turned on through our Homeless Prevention Program, which pays past due rent and utilities for eligible families. Each month, we receive many calls from families needing our help--families who have fallen behind on their rent or utility payments. We assess the family's situation by looking at their household income and expenses and discussing their circumstances with them. We counsel them on how to make wise financial decisions, and we pray with them.

If we can help keep a family, who is experiencing a temporary financial crisis, in their home with the utilities turned on, then we know we're doing our part to prevent homelessness. Last year, the mission spent nearly $30,000 assisting 187 households with their rent and utilities.

The mission can do this work because of the generosity of people like you. We use money given to us specifically for our Homeless Prevention Program to fund these requests for assistance. Our fund raising focus this month is to raise money so we can continue and increase the number of families we can help this year.

The mission hopes to raise up to half of the needed dollars through our annual Walk For Warmth event. Walk for Warmth is a 2-mile walk starting and ending at Phoenix Park. Walkers are asked to raise sponsorship support from friends, neighbors, and family. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, February 27th. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. All proceeds will be used to help families in crisis.

For more information or to register to be a walker, go online at www.lexingtonrescue.org/walk.html Please join me in doing our part to prevent homelessness!