Sleeping Out event raises over $150,000

LEAMINGTON — The annual fundraiser for The Bridge Youth Resource Centre was done a little differently, but the results surpassed the previous totals when it came to funds raised.

This year’s Sleeping Out at The Bridge had 127 participants, 15 teams and 654 donations, totalling $152,519.71.

On Friday October 2, participants handed in their pledges and then were off to sleep outdoors with just some cardboard and a sleeping bag. This was to emulate what homeless youth may have to endure when faced with not being able to find a place to sleep.

Most participants chose to sleep in their own back yards due to COVID restrictions, but a hardy few braved the cold temperatures on The Bridge property on Sherk Street.

A livestream of entertainment and activities were on tap for participants to watch on their mobile devices. Local musician Justin Latam entertained from inside The Bridge main building, where Arms Bumanlag acted as emcee for the evening.

The Bridge Executive Director Krista Rempel was excited to get underway Friday evening. “This has been great,” she said. “Our team has worked so hard.”

At that point on Friday, the totals had already surpassed $100,000 in donations.

The top fundraising corporate team was Essex Weld Solutions with $30,000 raised.

First Lutheran Church and UMEI tied for most funds raised for an independant team, with both topping $5,000.

Individually, the top fundraiser prize went to Tracey Sharron who gathered $3,492.00 for the cause.