Husson University and United Way Sponsor Fourth Annual ‘Walk for Warmth’

Husson University Student Government, in partnership with the United Way of Eastern Maine, sponsored the fourth annual Walk for Warmth on Saturday, Feb. 27, raising more than $1,000 from registration fees, individual donations and t-shirt sales. The United Way of Eastern Maine will distribute the money to local families in need of heating assistance.

The 5-kilometer fun run and walk took place on the University’s campus in Bangor, Maine.

“The pandemic created economic hardships for numerous Maine families this year,” said Emma Grodan, president of Husson University Student Government and a senior pursuing a dual bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice administration with certificates in paralegal studies and national security. “Having heat during the winter is a basic need. This was a fun and healthy way to give back to the community. I urged every Husson student I knew to participate.”

Nearly two-thirds of Maine households use fuel oil as their primary energy source for home heating, more than any other state, according to the Energy Information Administration.

As of Feb. 15, the average Maine retail heating fuel price for home heating oil was $2.42 per gallon for Eastern and Downeast Maine, according to the governor’s Energy Office. Filling a 275-gallon residential fuel oil tank at that price costs $665.50. Most families would need to have fuel oil delivered more than once during the winter. 

In addition to receiving community service credit toward their degree, Husson students who participated in the Walk for Warmth received tickets to put into a “Winter Week” drawing for gift cards usable at a local restaurant, Dysart’s.