The Orillia area is one of two in the country that have chosen to take part in a pilot project to help the homeless.
On Thursday, Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School will hold its inaugural Coldest Day of the Year walk. The event is affiliated with Coldest Night of the Year, which will take place Saturday. Other schools holding Coldest Day of the Year walks on Thursday or Friday are Harriett Todd Public School, Regent Park Public School, Uptergrove Public School, Twin Lakes Secondary School and Orillia Secondary School.
“We’ve always been a part of Coldest Night of the Year, but the idea of bringing it to the high school is amazing — if anything, for awareness,” said Patrick Fogarty teacher Brett Carron. “It allows for more students to be involved.”
Students aren’t collecting pledges for the walk. Instead, they are providing freewill donations that are being collected in their classrooms.
However, there is a chance for members of the public to donate. Money can be dropped off at the school’s main office.
All students at Patrick Fogarty will be dismissed from second period to take part in the walk. They will walk down Peter Street and then take West Street back to the school on Commerce Road.
Like Coldest Night of the Year, Coldest Day of the Year will raise money for the Lighthouse, Orillia’s shelter and soup kitchen. Funds raised from the event will help with the Lighthouse’s operations as well as Building Hope, the campaign to build a new shelter.
Before the walk begins, a representative from the Lighthouse will speak to the students about Building Hope and the services the Lighthouse provides.
The school’s connection to the Lighthouse goes beyond its previous involvement with Coldest Night of the Year.
When the specialist high-skills major in construction was introduced at Patrick Fogarty, students renovated the main floor of the shelter.
“That was how our affiliation started out,” Carron said. “We have a long history with the Lighthouse.”
The new shelter will be more inclusive, providing beds for men, women and youth. The latter should hit home with students.
“Youth helping youth is what it’s all about,” Carron said.
The only other area taking part in the Coldest Day of the Year pilot is in Western Canada.
Taking the lead on organizing the event at Patrick Fogarty are students in Tina Osburn’s vitality and wellness class and Dave Pellarin’s outdoor recreation class.
To learn more about the Coldest Night of the Year, click here.
