By Michael Stoll

mike.stoll@austindailyherald.com

If you’ve lived through a Minnesota winter, you know how cold they can be. They are ideal times to stay at home, comfortable and warm with the heat on.

Now, imagine if you had to endure a Minnesota winter without heat because the bills were more than you could afford.

Fortunately, the HeatShare Program through the Salvation Army, in conjunction with Austin Utilities, is available for those in need of heat. According to the Austin Utilities webpage, “HeatShare is a Salvation Army program that provides emergency utility assistance for people with no place left to turn.” The program helps the elderly, the disabled and others in the community who struggle to afford utilities.

Locals will have the opportunity to help raise funds for HeatShare this weekend during the second annual Share the Heat 5K/1 Mile Run/Walk.

Registration for the Share the Heat 5K/1 Mile Run/Walk is $25 for anyone age 11 and older. Kids age 10 and under are free. Online registration for the 5K event ends at 6:59 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 5, while online registration for the 1 Mile Run/Walk ends at 11:59 a.m. on Friday. On-site registration will be held from 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6.

All proceeds raised from the event will be donated toward the HeatShare Program.

Check-in will be held from 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Saturday at Austin Utilities, 1908 14th St. NE. The race is set to begin at 9 a.m.

Are you unable to make the event but wish to donate? Donations to the HeatShare Program can be made through a monthly donation on your utility bill or by a one-time credit card donation by calling 507-433-8886.

For more information or to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MN/Austin/ShareTheHeat5K or call 507-433-8886.

Schedule of Events

Saturday

• Austin Masonic Lodge All You Can Eat Pancake Feed, 9 a.m. to noon at the Austin Masonic Lodge. Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake feed complete with bacon, sausage, juice, milk and coffee, while helping raise funds for local organizations. Proceeds for October benefit the Austin High School Cheerleaders.

• Book Art for All Ages – Kirigami and Pop-Up Books, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin Public Library. Monthly program in the programming room. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Kids’ Studio (Spanish) – Halloween Candy Baskets, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Gabriella Alva and Alondra Vasquez. Cost:  $5 for kids ages 4-14. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

• Austin Bruins vs. Brookings Blizzard, 7 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Austin’s own Tier II junior hockey team. Go, Bruins! Tickets available at the door, or at HyVee, Games People Play, Holiday Inn, or Jim’s Market Place. For more information, call 507-434-4978.

• Sola Fide Observatory – Draconid Meteors, 8 p.m. at the Sola Fide Observatory. Learn about the night sky from our local experts. For more information, go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org or call 507-437-7519.

Sunday

• Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon at the Eagles. Sponsored by the Austin Letter Carriers NALC Branch 717. $6 per person. All proceeds go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association