Will You Walk With Us? Article of the week January 22 to 26, 2018
Last February our office participated in a fun, fulfilling event that supports an amazing cause in our community. The event is called the “Coldest Night of the Year” walk. This event is designed to raise funds and awareness for the problem of homelessness in our community.
Before participating in this event, I was really uninformed about the issue of homelessness in Orillia. I thought that people living on the streets was a phenomenon that happened in large urban centres like Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. Little did I know that over 25% of the homeless people in Simcoe County are right here in Orillia (2013 National Household Survey). There are roughly 600 people who experience homelessness in Orillia each year.
The Lighthouse down at the corner of Peter and Colborne is the only emergency shelter for men in our city and it can only accommodate 14 men per night. Even worse, there is no local emergency shelter for women, youth or families at all. The closest ones are in Barrie and Newmarket. However, there is an organization called “Building Hope” that is bound and determined to change this situation and ensure that every man, woman and child has a place to stay and food to eat.
Even better, they have plans to not just give these folks a hand out, but also a hand up with support services that will allow these people to re-gain their health and independence and get back on their feet again. Building Hope is planning the construction of a 30,000 sq ft facility on Queen Street near Front that will have room for anyone who is vulnerable, regardless of gender or life stage.
I for one want to be a part of this initiative and this is where your help is needed. I am asking that you would support our office in raising funds for the Coldest Night of the Year walk and the Building Hope campaign by doing 1 of 2 things:
1. Please make a donation either online or by giving at the front desk. For every $1 that our patients donate, Our office is going to be matching that donation up to $1200.00. If you are making out a cheque, Please make it out to "Coldest Night Of The Year". We raised $ 1200 last year and this year we would like to double that amount to $2400!
2. If you want to Join Sharon, Jessica, Jenny and I at the walk, we would love to have you! We had a lot laughs doing this last year and you also get some exercise. The date of the walk is February 24th and you can walk either 2, 5 or 10 km depending on how far you want to go. To join the team, there is a $25 registration fee which will also get you a really nice toque to wear while you're walking with us. Even better, if you take a pledge sponsorship sheet and raise $150 in donations, your $25 registration fee will be waived.
I guarantee you that you will be uplifted by the experience of being a part of Coldest Night of the Year. We are stronger as a community when we lift up those who are in need.
I am so grateful to be able to serve you, and for all of you who contributed to Coldest Night of the Year last year, thank you! If you have any more questions about how to contribute or get involved, please ask the girls.
God bless,
Dr. Tim
Grace Chiropractic – 1-3230 Monarch Drive – 705-323-9100 – http://gracechiropractic.ca