Coldest Night Of The Year Walk Raises $38K For Bucks County's Homeless

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, PA — It may not have been the coldest night of the year, but it was cold just the same.

With temperatures hovering in the 30s, more than 250 bundled up Bucks Countians took to the streets of Doylestown Borough on Saturday to raise funds for the homeless during the county’s third “Coldest Night of the Year” fundraising walk.

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 joint fundraising event, which included a 5K and a 1K walk through the streets of the county seat.

Drummers With Attitude, a group of student musicians from the Bristol Township School District, helped kick off the walks as its energy-filled beat filled the air and confetti exploded in a burst of color.

Drummers With Attitude. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Doylestown Democrats kick off the walk with a flurry of confetti. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

John and Cindy Long were the top walkers, raising $2,100. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Given the honor of leading off the walk were the top fundraisers - the Doylestown Democrats, raising $3,785 as the top team, and John and Cindy Long, raising $2,100 as the top walkers.

On hand to cheer on the walkers were State Senator Steve Santarsiero, Bucks County Commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis Marseglia and Doylestown Councilman Robert Kinney who attended on behalf of Doylestown Borough Mayor Noni West.

Reading from the mayor’s prepared remarks, Kinney said, “As the mayor of Doylestown I am constantly in awe of this community, not just for fun but for the hard challenges we all face. Especially this winter, while winding down from the day, I think about the people who need warmth and shelter. I think about the drivers who quietly pick up the homeless and take them to warmth. I think about the volunteers who are trained to staff the Code Blue shelters. I think about Our Lady of Guadalupe Churchand Doylestown Presbyterian Church who willingly open their doors and are there for those in our midst who lack a warm meal and a place to sleep. I think about the wonderful community of people who donate food, clothing and supplies. And I am forever grateful to the people who organize these efforts.”

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis Marseglia addresses the walkers. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

State Senator Steve Santarsiero. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Doylestown Borough Councilman Robert Kinney. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The whole idea behind the “Coldest Night” is to give participants a 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.

“This is to give people a sense of what the homeless population has to go through on a daily basis. Not only do they have to deal with the elements, they don’t have food and shelter,” said Erik Clare, executive director of the Bucks County Housing Group.

“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.”

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.

“That really brings it home when everyone feels the impact of what that’s like after only an hour out in the cold where the homeless are out in all the time,” he said.

Kristin Chapin, the associate director of the Bucks County YWCA, 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.

“This gives folks an opportunity to walk around in some pretty chilly weather and to get a small sample of what it might be like to live on the street,” she added.

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.

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

“The response from the community has been incredible,” said Erin Lukoss, the executive director of the Bucks County Opportunity Council. “They have helped us surpass our goal of raising $25,000. That’s going to allow us to care for the people who are struggling and who are facing these barriers.

A public count last year showed 409 homeless living on the streets of the county, a 25 percent increase over the previous year. This year’s count, which took place at the end of January, is still being tabulated, but the number is expected to rise.

"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.

The fundraising for this year's event in Doylestown has surpassed the $25,000 goal, bringing in $38,000 as of Sunday. Donations will be accepted through the end of March by clicking here.

“We all work together from a programmatic standpoint so to be able to fundraise together has been a lot of fun,” said Clare. “I shouldn’t be surprised that it had this kind of outcome knowing how we work together. It really is heartwarming to see the community come out and support
neighbors that need help.”

The event was supported by Red Robin and Wegmans, which provided the food for the event, Parx Casino, which provided water, and Penn Community Bank, which sponsored the meal. Other sponsors included Foundations Community Partnership, Fox Rothchild LLP, JMB Consultants, Keystone First, and People’s Security Bank and Trust.