Coldest Night fundraising walk hints at reality of being homeless in Saskatoon
Event raises money for The Lighthouse and The Bridge
A biting wind is likely to put an edge on tonight's Coldest Walk fundraiser for Saskatoon homeless shelters, giving participants a taste of life for those without a home.
More than 100 people are expected to walk between two and 10 kilometres to raise money for The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. and The Bridge Fellowship Centre.
- Business to match donations for new Saskatoon Lighthouse shelter boilers
- More homeless turning to Sask. shelters in extreme cold
The event gives walkers a hint of what it's like to live in Saskatoon with no fixed address.
Lighthouse fundraising and communications co-ordinator Marilyn Jackson said unlike the event participants, the city's homeless did not have the luxury to retreat to a safe place.
"Everybody that walks today has a place to go home to tonight and they have a warm place to sleep and three meals a day," she said.
"So the challenge for people that don't have a home is making sure that they do have a warm place to sleep."
The event starts at 4 p.m. CST and takes participants to The Bridge Fellowship Centre to The Lighthouse, with two of the routes running along the South Saskatchewan River.
Organizers said it was a family-friendly event, through which they hope to raise $50,000.