Upcoming Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth raising critical utility assistance funds to meet growing need in our community

Omaha Public Power District and Metropolitan Utilities District are teaming up, once again, for the 18^th annual Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth. Funds raised provide utility bill assistance for customers going through hard financial times.

Registration is open at HeatTheStreetsOmaha.com. The event will take place Saturday, March 1 at Zone 6 in Aksarben Village, 1911 S. 67^th St. in Omaha.

The utilities host the run and walk during the winter to bring added attention to the struggle that so many face to keep their homes warm and lights on. However, our customers’ need is year-round. We are calling on the community to come together and help make a difference for customers in need.

“These funds help us provide financial assistance to our families in crisis due to financial hardship,” said Sharena Marrs, program director at Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. “A lost job, a hospital stay, or even car repairs can be a real hardship for those living paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes, just a little financial boost can make all the difference.”

Local utility assistance programs and the utilities’ fundraising efforts are “absolutely critical to our community,” said Jill Lynch-Sosa, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha. One hundred percent of the families and individuals served by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) are facing a financial crisis and invariably get behind on paying their utility bills.

The agencies and utilities noted that donations are especially critical right now due to a decrease in federal funding allotted to programs that help with utility bill assistance.

Funds raised are administered by Dollar Energy Fund Inc., a registered 501(c)(3), and then split between M.U.D.’s Home Fund and OPPD’s Energy Assistance Program to provide assistance to our customers living in Burt, Cass, Colfax, Dodge, Douglas, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Sarpy, Saunders, and Washington counties.

Last year’s event raised $175,000. These funds helped M.U.D.’s Home Fund distribute $350,194 in bill assistance to 945 households in need this past year. OPPD’s Energy Assistance Program was able to distribute $371,012 in funding to 996 households in need. 

This year’s co-chairs are Mark Mendenhall, Senior Vice President – General Counsel of M.U.D., and his wife, Bridget, and Eric Williams, a member of the OPPD Board of Directors, and his partner, Kristine Hull. Their goal is to register 1,800 participants and raise at least $180,000.

Participation options and prices follow.

Timed 10K

• $45 (through February 26)
• $55 (day-of registration)

Timed 5K

• $40 (through February 26)
• $50 (day-of registration)

Untimed two-mile walk 

Children 12 and under may register for free with a registered adult.

• $30 (through February 26)
• $40 (day-of registration)

Virtual run/walk (No swag/giveaways will be given to virtual registrants.)

Participants may complete a distance of their choice on the path of their choice, such as treadmill, their neighborhoods or local trail.

• $30 (through February 26)

Awards will be given to the overall male and female 5K and 10K finishers, as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female runners in each of the following age divisions for the timed 5K and 10K events: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. (No awards for virtual participants.)

Both utilities urge any customers who are struggling with their bill to call their customer service representatives and talk through their options. For OPPD, that number is 402-536-4131 in the Omaha area or toll-free if outside the metro at 877-536-4131. M.U.D. customers should call 402-554-6666.