The opening ceremonies of this year’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser in support of the Gathering Place, included a poem written by diner Larry Hunt.
The poem read on his behalf by Gathering Place staff member Roxanne Denne, shared his thoughts on the Gathering Place being a warm, safe place to go and socialize.
Denne was particularly moved by the lines that read:
“Sometimes a new friend you will make
A few words can be all it takes
Someone comes in and with you sits
You start to talk and that is it
It really is quite a deal
A new friend and a meal”
Denne says Hunt is a familiar face at the Gathering Place.
“He has been coming to eat at the Gathering Place for years. He is sick and, in the hospital, right now, but he wanted the poem shared. I think it was a really good depiction of us, so I thought it was a great time to read it here,” explained Denne.
Twenty-four teams registered for a total of 160 walkers taking to the city streets for the 2, 5- and 10-kilometre routes, raising awareness and money on behalf of the many diners who rely on the Gathering Place for a hot meal in a friendly environment.
That awareness can begin at a young age.
Six-year-old Ozzy Thomas raised $434 for the Coldest Night.
And 10-year-old Melody is back for her second-year walking for the cause.
“If people are homeless, they can go there to eat,” said Melody of the Gathering Place.
“Last year it felt good. I felt happy because I helped people who need food. I think this is important because some people don’t have enough money to buy food. So, they can go to the Gathering Place to get food.”
“The Harbour” was back for its second year as a team, raising $880.
“We really feel the community is important. And if we live here, then we need to live the realities of our city; the good and the not so good. So, the reality is that there are people here who are hungry, that are homeless, that don’t have as much as maybe we do. We just feel that we want to commit to supporting our community and be actively involved.”
The Anglican Snappy Strutters was back for the fourth year.
“A lot of us volunteer at the Gathering Place, so we are happy to do this so that it brings extra food for them,” said team captain Kathy Harrison.
“It is quite busy for lunch and dinner. There are a lot of people that come and use it. Without the Gathering Place, those people would be pretty hungry, I think. I don’t know where they would go to have their hot meals. They are so thankful. You can tell when they are there eating their food that they are very happy to have a full tummy.”
The Coldest Night of the Year is a national fundraiser that supports the hungry, hurting and homeless.
“It raises money and draws awareness to the fact that it can be difficult for the homeless at this time of year,” said executive director Dennis Chippa.
“It is our most significant fundraiser of the year. Friends and neighbours, church groups, all come together once a year and support us and support all the operational needs that we have.”
So far this winter, there has not been a drop in the number of people who rely on the soup kitchen.
“There is always a drop in the wintertime. This year that hasn’t happened. We do have a massive food rescue program but at the same time, we don’t rescue everything. So, we still have to buy groceries. We have to pay our hydro, we have to pay our heat, we have to pay our property taxes all that stuff. So, to keep the doors open is what it boils down to.”
"Coldest Night of the Year has come and gone and we are happy to announce we have surpassed our goal of $55, 000 once again," said the group's website this morning.
Fundraising will continue until the end of March, with the annual chili luncheon still to come, with details to follow.
