VIDEO: Taking a walk in a homeless person's shoes

Coldest Night of the Year 'gives people a sense of the need in our city'

The Coldest Night of the Year event on Saturday began as darkness began to fall over the city at 5 p.m.

"It's lots of fun, but at the same time it is intended to give people a sense of what it might be like if you were homeless or on the fringe of homelessness and you didn't have a place to sleep tonight," said Coldest Night executive director Jennifer Sarlo.

This was St. Vincent Place's 6th year taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year, they raised 93 per cent of their $50,000 goal for their work with the homeless in Sault Ste. Marie. Approximately 175 walkers, which included teams comprised of local businesses, churches, and friends of St. Vincent Place, braved the cold winter's night.

St. Vincent Place has been serving Sault Ste. Marie for 15 years, and the funds raised in the Coldest Night of the Year, their largest fundraising event, will benefit their clients in a time of the year known historically for low levels of giving and greatest need.

For more on the local Coldest night of the Year, click here.