Cold weather: an initiative to help the most vulnerable

With the cold snap hitting Quebec hard, several people experiencing homelessness took advantage of a moment of respite thanks to an event organized by the group of veterans of the 22^e Regiment, in which Commander Robert Piché participated.

“I haven’t slept for two days, I’m exhausted. I don’t know where I’m going to sleep tonight,” said Serge-Alexandre Bordeleau.

The man in his sixties was enjoying a hot coffee before having to return to face the cold. The one who has been living on the street for a year had to leave his apartment suddenly and was unable to find a roof over his head because of the housing crisis.

“I had a bed in a shelter, but I was told that I had lost my place on Friday. I'm going to spend Christmas alone and in the cold,” added the man who has been trying to find a job for several months, in vain.

Like a hundred other people experiencing homelessness, he showed up at Accueil Bonneau on Sunday to warm up and grab a bite to eat.

“We've been doing this event for 5 years, but this year, the cold complicates things and also reminds us how important it is to provide help to people experiencing homelessness,” commented Richard Lavallée, the instigator of the event, who has already experienced this reality himself.

With other veterans of the Royal 22e Régiment de Montréal, he organizes a Christmas meal every year for street people, and they served 400 meals this year.

In addition to coffee, melted cheese sandwiches and spaghetti, desserts and hot dogs, everyone who showed up to the event was able to collect clothes, boots and several hygiene products.

“We received several bags of donations and there were about eight volunteers who sorted everything for the event,” explained the 63-year-old veteran.

During the event, people who had heard about the initiative came to hand-deliver clothes “after cleaning out their wardrobe”.

Help in return

One of the veterans who volunteered there himself lives in a situation of homelessness, but he is part of the success of this initiative year after year.

“We see people in the street, but the reality is far from what people can imagine. It’s really difficult and it’s getting worse and worse,” laments the veteran who preferred to keep his name quiet.

Around forty volunteers were busy at work, including Commander Robert Piché, who was spokesperson for the event.

“It’s so important to do your part, we see how great the need is,” concluded Commander Piché.