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Youth centre supporters ‘Sleep Out at The Bridge’ By Bryan Jessop
Leamington and surrounding area residents have both assisted a worthy cause and learned about the importance of that support. The first-ever Sleeping Out at The Bridge fundraiser was hosted by The Bridge Leamington Youth Resource Centre through the evening of Friday, April 26 and morning of Saturday, April 27 — a chance for residents to support programming serving youths struggling with homelessness and other social challenges. For the event, about 100 participants spent the night outdoors at The Bridge, equipped with only the clothes on their backs, sheets of cardboard and sleeping bags. The group of donors braved weather conditions that included winds in excess of 30 km/ hr, temperatures as low as 2ºC and rain-soaked ground, giving them a feel of what thousands of homeless youths across the country struggle with on a day-to-day basis. “Something like this really takes people out of their comfort zones,” said The Bridge general manager Krista Rempel. “It’s just a glimpse of what youths have to go through when they experience homelessness.” A sub-committee from The Bridge’s fundraising development team had prepared for Sleeping Out at The Bridge since early February this year, shortly after the facility’s most recent soup luncheon. Interested supporters and participants were invited to sign up for the event through the website www.thebridgeyouth. ca, where 730 donations had been made by 14 registered teams and just over 100 total participants for a day-of sum of about $68,500. With several pledge collections and donations made dur-
Grace Johnson (left) and Gaby Moore prepare a shelter made of cardboard as sleeping accommodations during the first annual Sleeping Out at The Bridge fundraiser Friday, April 26. The event at Leamington’s youth resource centre on Sherk Street raised more than $68,000 as of that evening and was attended by 14 teams and a sum of just over 100 participants.
ing the 12-hour event, the final fundraising total was tabulated later in the week. Although organizers at The Bridge were unsure at the time if the goal if $100,000 would be reached, they were pleased with the community’s response.
“I feel that the response has been overwhelming for a first annual event. It’s proof of the community’s support for it.” — Krista Rempel
“It’s exciting to see so many people rallying behind it,” said Rempel. “I feel that the response has been overwhelming for a first annual event. It’s proof of the community’s support for it.” Registration for Sleep-
ing Out at The Bridge began at 6 p.m. Friday with a variety of outdoor activities including cup stacking, tugs of war, under-over events with beach balls and other friendly competitions for both teams and individuals beginning at 6:30 p.m. Snacks including pizza followed about 90 minutes later with presentations by Leamington mayor Hilda MacDonald and other guests bringing gatherers indoors briefly at 9 p.m. Awards for top team and individual donors were given during presentations. The inaugural event concluded with a 6 a.m. breakfast offered on site. Participants for the overnight, outdoor gathering were of all ages, although 16- and 17-year-olds required written consent and those 15 and younger had to be accompanied by a legal guardian. Rempel explained that the sub committee or-
Brothers Matthew and Danny Dyck apply duct tape to their cardboard structure during the first annual Sleeping Out at The Bridge fundraiser Friday, April 26. (Southpoint Sun Photos)
ganizing Sleeping Out at The Bridge has committed to making the fundraiser an annual occasion, although organizers are not yet certain what time of year future editions of the fundraiser will take place. The next event in support of programming at The
Bridge will be Lobsterfest, to be hosted by Colasanti’s Tropical Garden Saturday, June 1. The sixth annual Lally Southpoint Ford Summer Sizzlin’ Car Show — Saturday, June 8 at the 414 Rocky Rd. dealership — will also donate proceeds to The Bridge.
WE CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
“
We would like to thank you for your assistance
in completing the construction of our barrier free washroom, and the generous donation of shingles for that purpose. With the completion of the facility we are now able to provide service to students with mobility issues. Thank you for your generosity.
”
Dorothy St. John, Chairperson for SPEQTRA
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