DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, PA — It may not have been the coldest night of the year, but it was definitely one of the most heartwarming.
With temperatures hovering in the 50s, more than 250 Bucks Countians, including 24 teams, took to the streets of Doylestown Borough on Saturday to raise funds for the homeless during the county’s fourth “Coldest Night of the Year” fundraising walk for the homeless.
The Bucks County Opportunity Council, the Bucks County Housing Group, the Family Service Association, and the YWCA of Bucks County teamed up to organize the fundraising event, which included a walk through the streets of the county seat.
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The idea behind the “Coldest Night” is to give participants a symbolic feel for what it’s like to be homeless and out on the streets with no place to go on the coldest night of the year.
Drummers With Attitude, an all-inclusive group of student musicians from the Bristol Township School District under the direction of Kevin Travers, helped kick off the walk as its energy-filled beat filled the air.
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On hand to cheer on the walkers were Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Doylestown Borough Mayor Noni West.
“I’m glad all these warm hearts are here tonight because that’s why the weather is like this tonight,” said Ellis-Marseglia. “When you’re out there walking, it’s about the dignity for the people out there who don’t have oil, who can’t pay their electric bill, who don’t have food to eat, and who can’t afford to put gas in their car to stay warm,” she said. “From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for being here.”
Doylestown Mayor Noni West addresses the walkers. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Drummers With Attitude kick-off the walk with an energy-filled beat. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
“For far too many, this event is not symbolic,” added Mayor West. “It is real. It is every night. It is uncertainty. It is wondering where you will sleep and how you will stay warm. The unhoused population is increasing. Here is our borough, the unhoused population has grown significantly in the last four years, and this reality should move all of us.”
She continued, “We are blessed with nonprofits and organizations that wrap their arms around those in need. The Bucks County Opportunity Council, the Bucks County Housing Group, Family Service Association, the YWCA, FISH, our churches, and community volunteers who work late into the night and members who donate food, clothing and supplies, you are the reason hope is possible.”
She added, “The Coldest Night of the Year reminds us of that compassion must be active and tonight you are showing up with your time, your generosity and your commitment to ensuring no one in our community is left out in the cold. This walk is a statement that in Central Bucks we care for each other, that dignity matters, and that safe housing is not a privilege but a foundation for stability, health and hope.”
The money raised from the event will be split between the Bucks County Opportunity Council, the Bucks County Housing Group, the YWCA of Bucks County and Family Service Association and will be used to directly help the county’s homeless by providing them with food and shelter.
“This crowd is awesome. This, by far, is the largest number of walkers we have ever had,” noted Erik Clare, executive director of the Bucks County Housing Group. “As you’re walking through town today, I want you to remember the cold temperatures and the snow and that there are a lot of people in our community who are outside 365 days a year. We are battling homelessness. We’re making our community a better place but we can only do that with the help of all of you.”
He added, “With just your energy and your presence here you’re making a very powerful statement. A statement that you recognize there is a problem and you’re willing to help and make your community a better place.”
“This crowd is awesome,” said Erik Clare, CEO of the Bucks County Housing Group. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Erin Lukoss, the executive director of the Bucks County Opportunity Council.
Confetti fills the air as organizers kick off the walk. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
(Jeff Werner/Patch)
Unlike the homeless, who have no place to go, participants taking part in Saturday’s walk got to sit down to some hot soup and warm food inside the James Lorah House following the walk.
Anita Garvin, the executive director of the YWCA Bucks County, said it was heartwarming to see how many people came out to support the individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness not only in Bucks County but all over the country. “Thank you for having compassion and participating in this event today,” she said.
Erin Lukoss, the executive director of the Bucks County Opportunity Council, announced the highest fundraising group and individual.
This year’s highest fundraiser was Donna Edmundson, who raised $1200, while REACH, powered by the Village Improvement Association, was the top fundraising group, bringing in close to $5,000.
“The response from the community has been incredible,” said Lukoss. “They have helped us reach our goal. That’s going to allow us to care for the people who are struggling and who are facing these barriers.”
The Coldest Night began in Canada, where temperatures often fall well below zero, and has now migrated south of the border into the U.S. Similar walks are also taking place in communities across Pennsylvania, said Lukoss.
Fundraising for the Coldest Night continues through the end of March. Donations can be made online through the Bucks County YWCA, the Bucks County Housing Group and the Bucks
County Opportunity Council.
The fundraising for this year’s event was expected to surpass the $40,000 mark, bringing in $38,000 as of Sunday.
The event was supported by sponsors Fox Rothchild LLP and Foundations Community Partnership. Wegmans also supported the event by providing food.
“Our sponsors are making it possible for every dollar you raise to go straight to the four organizations involved with this event. Every dollar will stay here locally to help support those who need it,” said Kristin DeForest, CEO of Family Service Association of Bucks County.
(Jeff Werner/Patch)
(Jeff Werner/Patch)
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