LUMBY–The mayor of Lumby spent the weekend camped out on the side of the highway.
Kevin Acton chose the pull-out spot because it’s often where transients travelling down Highway 6 end up for the night.
He also went without food, living on bottled water alone.
Acton did it to put a face to a harsh reality few people want to talk about.
“Coming out here, sleeping in the elements, going without food: I’m just showing that that’s what happens to people, right?” he says.
He’s hoping his actions prompt Lumby residents to think about donating to the Legacy Tree Fund in support of the Whitevalley Community Resource Centre in Lumby.
The centre offers food, classes and resources to people in the community who need a hand up.
Acton says since he’s been camped out, people have come up to him and told him personal stories about how the Resource Centre has helped them.
“And you know I got goose bumps in 40 degree plus weather. It’s just really touching.”
Acton raised $1,400 over the weekend, but hopes more donations will continue to come in to the centre after his camp-out is over.