Walk For Warmth raises more than $13,000

An agency that helps seniors and low-income St. Joseph County residents with overdue gas bills could have nearly $40,000 in its coffers thanks to an annual fundraiser last weekend.
The 32nd “Walk For Warmth” event took place Saturday in Three Rivers. Event organizers said more than $13,000 was raised by participants and other donors.
Thirty-year volunteer Rick Shaffer said additional proceeds are expected in coming weeks. After that, it will be up to Consumers Energy to decide the amount of a match it has offered the past three consecutive years.
If Consumers follows through on a “2-for-1” match – $2 for every $1 raised – the fund could reach nearly $40,000. Even a one-for-one match would net $26,000, equaling last year’s total that includes Consumers’ contribution.
Shaffer led a group of about a dozen people on a 15-minute walk starting from and ending at Three Rivers Community Center. Community Action, which oversees Walk For Warmth, coordinated walks Saturday in Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties, which comprise a region that includes St. Joseph County.