Janelle Labelle
editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Volunteers and fundraisers filled the Youth Arena Hall in Smiths Falls on Feb. 24 with a common goal: to eliminate homelessness in Lanark County.

Cornerstone Landing hosted The Coldest Night of the Year in Smiths Falls, which is an annual and multi-site walkathon aimed at eradicating homelessness.  Across Canada, more than 100 communities host similar events each year.

Sixty walkers came out on Saturday evening to the local Smiths Falls event, raising $9500.

Organizer Terrilee Kelford thanked fundraisers and shared statistics before the walk.  “On average, there are 235,000 homeless Canadians each year. In rural communities, homelessness is often overlooked. We call this hidden homelessness, and we do have homelessness in our community. Cornerstone Landing served 88 youth in Lanark County last year.”

Perth Town Crier Brent McLaren sent the walkers off with a resounding “Hear ye!”