Walk-a-thon helps Lexington homeless

The+crowd+pauses+for+a+prayer+at+the+Walk+For+Warmth+on+February+18.+The+walk+was+hosted+by+Lexington+Rescue+Mission%2C+and+benefits+homeless+and+housing-insecure+residents+in+Lexington.

The crowd pauses for a prayer at the Walk For Warmth on February 18. The walk was hosted by Lexington Rescue Mission, and benefits homeless and housing-insecure residents in Lexington.

By Amanda Bryant

The Lexington Rescue Mission held its 10th annual Walk for Warmth in Phoenix Park Saturday morning. 

The benefit raises funds for Fayette County residents facing eviction or utility shut-offs. “Help prevent homelessness in our community!” was the event’s mission statement.

The walk-a-thon gives participants the chance to get active while contributing to the community. Participants could walk a one or two mile path through downtown Lexington.

Despite a chill in the air and slight rain showers, the event had a significant turnout.

“We’re out here to help support the homeless in Lexington,” UK Psychiatry Patient Relations Assistant Susan Pulliam said.

In 2016 Mayor Jim Gray said Lexington’s homeless rate decreased 26 percent from 2014 to 2016. However, the cost of living can cause strain even for people who have homes, especially since wages have not kept pace with the increase in rent. Any financial change can be “devastating,” Lexington Rescue Mission Development Director Laura Carr said, so the Lexington Rescue Mission also helps people develop a stable environment in their new home to avoid these situations.

“In 2016, our Homeless Prevention Program helped keep 105 families in their homes and 92 from having their utilities shut off,” Carr said.

Walk for Warmth raised $18,500 in 2016. The raised money comes from donations and the $25 entrance fee for the walk. About 250 people walked.

Communications junior Kristen Taylor and biology junior Shannon Smith volunteered at the event at a booth where people could make encouraging posters.

“Volunteering gives us the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to us,” Taylor said. “Lexington has allowed us to come in as college students and really find our place and develop as the people we want to be for our future.”