Warmer or Colder, Windsorites are always stronger when it comes to developing community

By Keerthana Veerapandian

People of Windsor joined hands with the Downtown Mission to wipe out homelessness by walking on a cold winter’s night in Windsor.

Communities across the country joined the annual Coldest Night of the year fundraiser on Saturday evening supporting the people who are homeless, hungry and hurting.

Participants will be leaving the warmth and comfort of their homes to show solidarity with vulnerable people who are often forced to spend all night on the streets. Volunteers will be getting a taste of the challenges these people face.

The Downtown Mission’s Coldest Night of the year is the most significant fundraising event, having raised over $41,000 in 2018.

The Mission’s event is different from “the Coldest Night Out” fundraiser put on by Windsor Residence for Young Men, which was held Friday night into Saturday morning. Staff of the Windsor Residence for Young Men, along with volunteers and friends, spent about 14 hours Friday evening and overnight out in the cold to raise funds for the shelter.

The Mission’s walk began at 5 p.m. at Victoria Avenue and walkers had to choose from different courses in the downtown core from two, five and 10 kilometres in length.

Rukshini Poniniah Goulin, Director of development at the Downtown Mission says this the sixth time the Downtown mission is celebrating the Coldest Night of the Year event.

“We had over 225 walkers which is our biggest turnout ever who came and supported us to reach our goals,” said Goulin.

The facilities provided in helping the homeless include three shelter, 103 beds and 20 mats.

Participants were provided with refreshments at the end of the event. The Mission reached its goal of raising over $51,000 dollars.