WARM REGARDS

Thousands of dollars raised once more for those without a roof over their heads

Approximately 300 people of all ages raised money for local homeless people during the recent Coldest Night of the Year walk in Truro.

TRURO, N.S. – On the surface, Tamara Donovan is all smiles and bright eyes.

But a certain heaviness falls over her whenever the subject of homelessness is mentioned.

That’s why Donovan volunteered at the annual Coldest Night of the Year walk in Truro Saturday, serving hot drinks to people who were raising money to help those without a home.

“I think it’s very sad,” said Donovan. “I just want to help out in any way I can really … it’s a huge problem throughout the entire country.”

Meantime, Jenna Forsyth and her young son Beckett also want to help. Mother and son were among about 300 people in 22 teams who raised money by walking through the streets of downtown Truro.

“I feel bad,” said Beckett, after his walk. “I want to get a home for them.”

The target was to raise $60,000 for the Truro Homeless Outreach Society.

But Beckett and Jenna have done CNOY walks for five years in a row, ever since her son was in pre-k.

For Forsyth, the annual walks supporting homeless people provide a teachable moment for her son.

“As part of this community, we must take care of everyone in it,” said Jenna. “I hope Beckett understands the dynamics of what homelessness might look like.”

Stephanie Watson, who runs the Truro Homeless Outreach Society, is well aware of what homelessness in Truro can look like. THOS says a lack of affordable housing, as well as untreated mental health issues and addictions, often lead to homelessness.

Of its 16 beds, THOS currently has none available for homeless people. Volunteers are faced with turning away those in need of shelter.

“People are outside in the cold all winter and this is our coldest and we’ve had to turn people away in the last couple of weeks,” said Watson.

THOS first began in 2014 as a shelter at Truro’s First United Church. It moved into its current building at 862 Prince St. in late 2017.

CNOY walks were held in communities across Canada on Feb. 22.

For more information and updates on CNOY, visit https://cnoy.org/location/ truro. fram.dinshaw@trurodaily.com @trurodaily

“I just want to help out in any way I can really … it’s a huge problem throughout the entire country.”

Tamara Donovan

Volunteer

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Approximately 300 people of all ages raised money for local homeless people on the recent Coldest Night of the Year walk in Truro.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS This group from Redcliff Middle School, called the World Changers, were among more than 20 groups raising funds for homeless people in Truro.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Jenna Forsyth brings her son Beckett to Coldest Night of the Year walks to teach him about the importance of community. This year, he came with his friend, Reid Mcconkey, left.

FRAM DINSHAW/ TRURO NEWS Stephanie Watson is navigator and volunteer co-ordinator at the Truro Homeless Outreach Society.