Over $10,000 raised to help homeless in Belleville sleepout event

By Sarah Law

BELLEVILLE – Imagine sleeping outside in the middle of winter, not knowing where your next meal or hot shower will come from.

That’s what the participants of the 12th Sleep Out So Others Can Sleep In fundraiser did on Friday night. They raised $10,675 for transitional housing for vulnerable people.

The event was run by the Canadian Mental Health Association Hastings and Prince Edward branch, outside its office at 250 Sidney St. in Belleville.

Snuggled in blankets and sleeping bags inside duct-taped cardboard boxes in a snow-covered parking lot, community members spent 12 hours in the cold to raise money and awareness about homelessness. The temperature reached a low of -9 C with a windchill of -16 C.

“It’s not to duplicate what somebody endures on the street but to create some sense of awareness of what people are facing,” Sandie Sidsworth, the executive director of the association, said. “We have an opportunity to ask questions or really learn from the experience.”

Sandie Sidsworth, the executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association Hastings and Prince Edward branch, has been involved in mental health and poverty advocacy for over 20 years. Photo by Sarah Law, QNet News

“I think it creates that empathy we need for folks down the road when we’re working with them,” she said.

The transitional housing program gets people off the streets and provides counselling to help them get their lives back on track. In this area there are 20 beds for seniors, men and women. The sleepout fundraiser helps the CMHA better maintain the shelters.

Faith Saar and 16 of her classmates from Albert College decided to brave the cold weather for a good cause. This was Saar’s sixth year and she said the experience is always worth it.

“The first time I did it, I was in middle school and I did it with my sister, and it was just such an eye-opening experience being out here,” the 17-year-old said.

A few times during the event’s 12-year history, temperatures have dropped below -30 C and everyone had to go inside because of safety concerns, she said.

“It’s just crazy to think that some people have to deal with this on a daily basis and that they don’t get to go into a warming station. There’s no one making sure that their shelters are up to standard.”

People young and old got involved, including 65-year-old Margaret Wood. Last year she had to leave early, but early on Friday evening she said she hoped to last longer this time.

Margaret Wood, age 65, has attended the event two years in a row. Photo by Sarah Law, QNet News

“It was a good experience. Now I know what it’s like for the homeless to sleep out there. No fun,” she said.

Members of Belleville’s city council came out to show their support, along with MPP Todd Smithand MP Neil Ellis. There were also speeches from members of the Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre, Three Oaks Foundation, Warrior Women of Quinte and the Community Homelessness Advocacy Team.

The fundraiser has been sponsored by Bell Canada for six years through its Bell Let’s Talk campaign. Bell Let’s Talk day is on Wednesday, when Bell will donate five cents for every social media post with the hashtag #BellLetsTalk.

Mike Snell, a representative of Bell Canada, slept out for the fourth year in a row, with his friends Matthew Dulmage and Dalton Callaghan.

The three men enjoy camping out in their “box condo” every year, they say.

Matthew Dulmage (left), Mike Snell (centre) and Dalton Callaghan. Snell spoke on behalf of Bell Let’s Talk, which has sponsored the event for six years. Photo by Sarah Law, QNet News

“It does give you an appreciation if you were sleeping outside. I couldn’t imagine this being my (reality) every night. You really feel for somebody who’s in that situation,” said Dulmage.

The city of Belleville plans to host a summit to discuss its housing issues in March, Coun. Garnet Thomspon announced, as concerns surrounding homelessness and affordable housing continue to grow and temperatures continue to drop.