Hearts were warm, as was the night, as hundreds gathered on Cork Street in downtown Guelph on Saturday for the annual Coldest Night of the Year walk.
They walked together to support those who find themselves in need of food, warm clothes and shelter in the cold season. Over 200 took to the sidewalks, walking two, five and 10 kilometers, the goal to raise over $40,000 for Lakeside Hope House and its programs for those in need.
Among the walkers was Pauline Lankin, 85, registered to walk 2K.
“I walked more than that this morning alone,” said Lankin. “I support this cause. Giving to others is very important.”
Ann Lankin was there to support her mother-in-law, and Lakeside Hope House.
“I’m very confident the funds will go to support the people of this community,” she said. “I am part of Lakeside and I have seen what they do. I have known people who lived on the streets who they supported. They do what they say, and so much more.”
Hope House was one of 93 community-based charities supported by Coldest Night of the Year, the Blue Sea Philanthropy initiative that is expected to raise over $3 million this year for organizations that support the homeless. Blue Sea is an not-for-profit organization that helps charities across Canada raise funds.
“We have to take care of each other,” said Tara Stoneman, walking with her two-year-old daughter Lily. “Tomorrow it could be me or you in need. When you bless others, you are blessed in return.”
Robert Winkler set out on the 10K route. He is a marathon runner, so the distance was easy for him.
“It’s very emotional,” Winkler said, speaking of the experience of walking with others in the event. This is his second year. “You just don’t know if you’re walking next to someone who is homeless, or has lived in poverty. And you have a really strong feeling about why everybody is doing it. It’s fantastic, and every year it’s bigger.”
Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield, and Guelph Police Chief Jeff DeRutyer all donned blue Coldest Night of the Year toques and made the walk.
Guthrie and Longfield made opening remarks just prior to the walk commencing, each praising the work of Hope House, and stressing the importance of helping those in need.
“The reason we are walking is to raise funds to help the people of downtown Guelph who have so little,” said Bob Moore, the director of Hope House’s food market.
Hope House offers those people food, clothing and haircuts, he said, and soon it will offer free dental care.
“We are helping people in need, and often we don’t know who will be coming through the door,” he added.
Simon Fallows, chair of the Hope House board of directors, put the event in a national perspective.
“Tonight, we are joining 17,000 other walkers across Canada,” he said.
Over 500 families are helped every month by Hope House, he said.
“We are truly grateful for your support.”
It was about 8C outside as the walk got underway. After a brief period of bitter cold last weekend, spring-like conditions descended on the area in recent days.
