THUNDER BAY – Summit Church was filled with people for Grace Place's 9th annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk Fundraiser on Saturday.
The walk is not only a fundraiser for the organization, but it also gets attendees to realize what the homeless population has to deal with daily and Event Director Gary Macsemchuk said they're overwhelmed by the support from the walkers, the 61 volunteers, and the community.
"It's wonderful to see all the people who have gone on board. This year, our lead sponsor was PerHol Construction, and this is the second year they've been participating,” he said.
“We have a number of businesses that are supporting us, but it's great to see these walker, 300 plus walkers raising funds for Grace Place. It's really nice to see."
Just over 300 walkers came out to walk 2 or 5 kilometers to help raise money for a good cause. The fundraising goal for the 9th walk was 90 thousand dollars, and by the start of the event, the group already raised 81 thousand dollars.
“The funds will be used for operating expenses at Grace Place,” said Macsemchuck. “You know, the utility bills and the heating bills and just the physical part of the building and that's what the funds are going to be used to support.”
