Mayor, Council Members Lead Annual Walk for Warmth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information, contact:

Interfaith Action of Evanston,

ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org

Mayor, Other Leaders Join Walk for Warmth

Local dignitaries including Mayor Daniel Biss, Police Chief Schenita Stewart and five City Council members will help lead Interfaith Action of Evanston’s Walk for Warmth, to be held Monday, January 20 at 11 a.m. The event raises funds critical to providing safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year. It is a family-friendly event that anyone can join.

Walk for Warmth begins with a short program at 11 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church sanctuary, during which speakers will remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight for economic and social justice.

"The Walk for Warmth is a great opportunity for everyone to come out in honor of Dr. King and show their compassion for those who face these cold winter months without a warm, safe homes," said IAE Board President Donna Richardson.

Walk for Warmth will be raising money through donations and sponsorships to support IAE’s Overnight Shelter. This year’s walk features two options: walkers can travel a roughly two-mile circuit of churches in downtown Evanston, each of which serves as a host to the shelter in a three-week rotation, or they can choose a shorter around-the-block walk.

In addition to Mayor Biss, six City Council members will walk at the front of what is expected to be a crowd of hundreds, including Juan Geracaris, Krissie Harris, Jonathan Nieuwsma, Eleanor Revelle, and Melissa Wynne. Also walking is Jeron Dorsey, team manager for Crisis Alternative Response Evanston (CARE), which began alternative 911 call response efforts in July, 2024.

The funds being raised will enable IAE to keep its shelter doors open every night from mid-October through late May, providing 30 beds.

Participation in the Walk for Warmth is free and open to anyone. Many of the more than 40 faith communities which comprise IAE will be assembling teams of walkers, including people of all ages.

Individuals interested in participating in the Walk or donating to support it can find further info here: https://tinyurl.com/IAE2025W4W. Advance registration is strongly encouraged but there will be registration on-site the day of the event.