Walk to benefit homeless ministry

Wayside Cross Ministries is hoping the winds blow cold on Valentine's Day. For the third consecutive year, winter walks, "Walk A Mile in My Shoes," are being staged on Saturday, Feb. 14, in Elgin and Aurora to benefit the homeless and at-risk youth.

"The walks are only a mile," stated Executive Director Wayne Greenawalt, "but they give others a chance to identify with what the less fortunate experience every day."

The walk in Elgin will benefit the Elgin Wayside Center, a daytime intervention center for the homeless. The 15-year-old ministry is located in an industrial park near Elgin Community College and shares a facility with PADS, a nighttime shelter.

"While PADS gives folks an opportunity to sleep safely and warmly at night, we work with individuals helping them to find themselves, find jobs, find housing, find available resources, and above all, to find God," said Wayside's Elgin Director Phil Wood.

Case managers, counselors and volunteers provide the homeless with hot meals, mentoring, classes and encouragement. Wayside's walk in Aurora is scheduled simultaneously and will benefit ministries to women and youth.

The Elgin Walk will commence at 9 a.m. from the Evangelical Covenant Church, 1565 Larkin Ave. The walk will continue just over a mile south on McLean Boulevard and end at Wayside's facility at 1732 Berkley St. Prizes for the walkers and an open house will continue until 11:30 a.m. Walkers are encouraged to raise funds for the center by getting pledges from friends, family, and to identify with the homeless, even strangers.

For more information or to register, call (847) 695-4405 or visit walk-a-mile-elgin.org.