SASKATOON – Over 200 participants gathered at Station 20 West in downtown Saturday afternoon to walk in the ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ fundraiser. The Bridge and The Lighthouse are working together to raise money for the hungry, homeless and those in need.
For Greg Pearson, community and donor relations at The Bridge, the event is providing critical funding.”
“It’s really helping us without capital campaign so we can move into the new building,” said Pearson.
READ MORE: NDP leader accuses Sask. Party of ‘mean-spirited’ cut to shelter
Locally, the goal is to raise $50,000 and organizers say they’re 93 per cent of the way there.
DeeAnn Mercier, communications director at The Lighthouse, said this fundraiser couldn’t have come at a better time with recent budget cuts.
“This is a very timely fundraiser. Unfortunately we’ve had to make some tough decisions at The Lighthouse as our funding has been cut,” said Mercier.
“Funds raised will go to make sure that we can provide a safe place to those who seek shelter and be able to provide warm meals.”
The event is taking place in over a hundred communities across Canada. For some participants, it provides a sense of what people in need are dealing with.
“It’s kind of a little taste of what it’s like for the people that we serve. Often they have very little means, they may not have access to transportation and they make have to walk far distances to access healthcare, access food, access a safe place to sleep,” Mercier said.
Comments