An upcoming fundraiser will be a lesson in empathy.
For the fifth year, Orillia will host Coldest Night of the Year, a fundraiser for the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter.
The Feb. 24 event will see participants walk a two-, five- or 10-kilometre route while supporting the local shelter and its Building Hope campaign.
"It's a sampling of what it's like to experience homelessness," said Linda Goodall, event co-lead.
The recent deep freeze in much of Canada, including Orillia, had event organizers thinking of those with no shelter, and it only motivated them further.
"In Canada, we're dealing with the elements. That's the empathy part," said event co-lead Lynn Thomas.
She has seen lots of it since moving to Orillia from the Hamilton area a few years ago.
"It's a very community-oriented city," she said, praising the many people in town who volunteer and donate, including lead sponsor Faris Team of Royal LePage.
That generosity has been evident during the shelter's previous Coldest Night of the Year events.
Last year, the fundraiser raked in $103,000 — fourth overall for Coldest Night of the Year events in Canada and first per capita. The goal for this year is the same as it was last year: $100,000.
"We're hoping to crush that goal," Goodall said.
As of Wednesday, more than $18,000 had been raised, according to the event's website.
Donations will be accepted until March 31 at cnoy.org/orillia. That's also where teams can be registered for the walk.
Participants will gather at Lions Oval Public School before setting off on their walk. There will be a new stop on this year's route: 75 Queen St., the future home of Orillia's new shelter, where participants will refuel with some hot chocolate.
For more information, visit cnoy.org/orillia or follow Coldest Night of the Year - Orillia on Facebook.
