Warm Up Windsor takes away chill for the homeless

Volunteers tied bundles of warmth to trees and poles in downtown Windsor.

On Dec. 3, between War Memorial Square and All Saints Anglican Church, scarves, gloves and hats were bundled and left out for those in need at the first ever Warm Up Windsor event.

Volunteers stayed busy tying 70 bundles of hats, scarves, socks and mittens with tags attached that said “Take Me!”

Emily Schurter of the Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative was one of the volunteers trying to help out the homeless.

“We started out with a scarf drive and ended up collecting scarves, hats, mittens, socks and even coats,” said Schurter who is the volunteer coordinator for the DWCC.

Socks are not a normal donation but are much needed during the winter months.

Brian Bailey, President of Recovery Windsor, said the event takes place worldwide to provide warmth to the homeless. The event is to raise awareness of homelessness problems in Windsor.

“There is a stigma around homelessness, this way makes it easy for someone in need to pick something without judgement,” said Bailey.

A homeless man was sitting behind All Saints Anglican Church sipping a Guinness, wearing a thin black jacket and shivering.

He was told to head over and help himself to a bundle to keep warm. The man said he would go once everyone left.