ESCANABA — The Menominee, Delta, Schoolcraft Community Action Agency (CAA) will be hosting its annual Walk for Warmth on Saturday, Feb. 24, in all three counties.

According to Cathy Pearson, CAA executive assistant, the walks help raise money for those who are struggling to pay their home heating bills. Every dollar collected is used in the county in which it was raised, noted Pearson.

Last year’s Walk For Warmth raised over $40,000 over the three counties, said Pearson, adding CAA hopes to exceed this total this year.

In Escanaba, the walk will begin at 10 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, located at 510 Ludington St. Walkers will proceed down Ludington Street to 14th Street and then return to the Elks.

In Menominee County, participants will start to walk at 10 a.m. CDT at the Menominee Senior Center, located at 905 10th St., and will make their way down 10th Ave to Spies Public Library and then back at the senior center in Menominee.

Schoolcraft County’s Walk for Warmth will launch at 9 a.m. at the Manistique Senior Center, located at 101 Main St., in Manistique.

Prior to the Walk for Warmth event, Pearson said CAA will also be hosting its annual Big Brat Sale on Wednesday, Feb. 21. This event brings awareness to the walk while also raising money towards the cause, noted Pearson. The sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until all of the brats are sold out.

Pearson said brats will be distributed in front of Ludington Post Suites at 524 Ludington St. in Escanaba. For large orders (10 or more), call 786-7080 by noon Feb.20 and they’ll be ready for pick up on the day of the sale in the alley behind Ludington Post Suites and Community Action. Brats are donated by Viau’s Market in Escanaba and buns are also donated by Elmer’s County Market of Escanaba and the Sara Lee company.

Pearson said she encourages everyone of all ages to come and participate in the Walk For Warmth.

“We would love to encourage younger folks to come out to the walks,” said Pearson, adding youth groups including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and more are welcome to participate.

In addition to youngsters, any local resident, businesses, and services clubs are encouraged to partake in the Walk for Warmth.

For more information or to register for heat assistance, Pearson noted residents are asked to contact their local senior centers. Center locations in Delta County include Rock, Rapid River, Gladstone, Bark River and Escanaba.

More information and pledge sheets are available at the CAA offices in each city or on the CAA Web site, www.mdscaa.org. Residents who need more information should call Pearson at 786-7080, Lori in Menominee at 863-3042, or Sharla in Manistique at 341-2452.