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International Day of Living Together in Peace The Torch – March 2022
International Day of Living Together in Peace
Submitted by:Junior Optimist Club Advisor Katie Holovaci and Safe ‘N Sound Fundraising Coordinator Michelle Solaro
A few courageous members of the Owen Sound and District Junior Optimist Club team for Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) spent the night outdoors on Friday February 18, to raise awareness and funds for those who are experiencing housing insecurity in our area. As the weather forecast called for high winds and blowing snow, 13 year old Isaac told his mother
Members had already raised enough funds to earn their CNOY toques and wore them proudly throughout the evening and even overnight. They realized that wool socks and hats were crucial to staying warm through this cold winter night.
Members had already raised enough funds to earn their CNOY toques and wore them proudly
As stated by 13 year old Axton Ellis,
They experienced the challenges of staying outside from 5pm until 8am, but they persevered. One youth and his mother used an ice fishing hut, with a tarp on the ground, and had to anchor it down after it got caught in the wind. Two other youth were up at 5am putting their tent back together after the weight of the snow caused the tent poles to separate. None of this was easy but these four youth and their 3 adult chaperones have a new understanding of a few of the many challenges faced by those who don’t have stable housing.
All funds raised on Owen Sound’s CNOY page will go to our local Safe ‘N Sound Drop service. Fundraising Coordinator Michelle Solaro indicates Safe ‘N Sound provides crisis intervention, emergency phone lines, transitional housing, harm reduction initiatives, onsite nursing on Tuesdays, laundry, showers, coffee, Grab n Go lunches (provided by O’Share), computers and referrals to other services. Safe ‘N Sound has also been the only warming centre open during this winter’s Covid restrictions.
Additional members of the Junior Optimist Club are going to do a walk for CNOY on February 26, and all of the club members want to encourage community members to give generously to CNOY to support this vulnerable population: https://cnoy.org/location/owensound
The Club also wants to express their heartfelt appreciation for the numerous ongoing donations to the winter clothing drive set up at Mark’s, the YMCA and the Annan Post Office. Items most needed are new or gently used hats, mitts, sleeping bags and warm blankets, new underwear and new warm socks.
To submit a story or photographs for consideration, please send an e-mail to junioroptimist@optimist.org or call (800) 500-8130. You may submit articles and photos of your local projects to junioroptimist@optimist.org for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of The Torch!
The Torch is published by Junior Optimist International. The Torch is the official newsletter of Junior Optimist International.
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