Supporters brave cold while walking for homelessness
Frigid temperatures provided the perfect backdrop for about 200 walkers who raised money for the city’s homeless.
Saturday’s Coldest Night of the Year walk aimed to give participants a small glimpse of the difficulties of living on the street during extreme temperatures. Walkers went two or five kilometres, with the money raised split between local shelters the Lighthouse and the Bridge.
The weather was almost too cooperative. The cold and wind led organizers to cancel the 10 kilometre portion of the walk, partially on account of the volunteers who had to stand along the course.
“I think it’s good it was this cold,” said Cassie Van Camp, who walked as part of a team called the Adventure Crew. “It’s a bittersweet thing, because I think it’s exactly what it needs to be for this event. Of course when you’re doing an event outside it would be nice to have beautiful weather, but that would defeat the entire purpose of what we’re trying to understand.”
Taking part gave Van Camp an opportunity to speak with people about homelessness as she raised money at school and her church.
“I think this is a really good starting point in terms of raising awareness, and lifting that stigma of what homelessness is,” she said.
The weather issues did nothing to dampen the spirits of DeeAnn Mercier, director of communications for the Lighthouse.
“I think it went amazing. I’m always amazed. It’s a tough week, because it’s a week of holidays (for students), and we can always count on it being really cold,” she said.
Although they didn’t have an exact number yet, she said they had raised more than $55,000. The Lighthouse’s half will go toward their mobile outreach unit.
In particular, Mercier enjoyed the collaborative aspect of the event.
“It’s really nice to do something in partnership with other organizations, especially since with nonprofits sometimes it can feel like you’re competing for dollars, when really you’re helping the same clientele,” she said.