THUNDER BAY -- The Coldest Night of the Year is more than just a brisk walk.
Over 400 walkers and 50 local teams walked together Saturday evening in support of Grace Place, a street ministry that operates a storefront Church in the Simpson Street area.
Grace Place provides clothing, coffee, homemade meals, and a non-denominational church service four days a week at no cost to the homeless or less fortunate in the community.
Last year, the event raised $76,000 which was enough to buy the building in which the program resides. The goal this year is to raise enough money to purchase a new roof for the structure.
"We need to raise about $90,000," said Gary Macsemchuk, Pastor of Grace Place. "We are sitting at about $56,000 and it looks good, at this point we are going to raise that amount tonight."
The Coldest Night of the Year is the only fundraiser the charity does all year but because of all the support received from the community it turns out to be quite successful.
Thunder Bay isn't the only city to participate in the Coldest Night of the Year event.
Communities all over Canada braved the winter chill last night exploring the challenges of what it's like to live on the streets in the winter.
