Helping those in need keep warm

Times Reporter

 

Some families may hit a hardship, whether it is a fire, or a job loss, which could cause them to end up homeless. Inn from the Cold, in Calgary, is an emergency shelter that is there to help those families. 

“What we’re uniquely known for, is that we provide shelters for families,” said Michelle Widmeyer, an employee with Inn from the Cold.

“Our shelter opens up their doors for any family that is without a home, that’s out on the streets or trying to make a fresh start, and they come to Inn from the Cold for a new beginning,”

Widmeyer was in Strathmore on March 24 to pick up quilts Grade 2 students from Sacred Heart Academy had made and were donating. 

“This is our fourth year making quilts for Inn from the Cold,” said Trudy Crosby, teacher of the 2C class.   

“I think they are just excited about the idea of giving to somebody in need and helping out in their own way.”

The project saw the kids bring in old jeans, or any material they had, to create quilts. Crosby’s mother was the seamstress for the project, which took about three weeks. There were five quilts made and the kids wrote a prayer that meant something to them on the quilts.

Widmeyer explained to the class that one of her jobs is to go to different schools and explain what the shelter is, and what they do. She also explained to the kids how their donation would help out the families using the shelter. She said when a family comes to the shelter, sometimes they are in need of blankets in the room they stay in and they can be given one of the blankets. 

“What we like to do best is, once a family gets a home, finally, and they move out of the shelter, we will send them home with a blanket like this,” said Widmeyer. 

“So they can bring it into their new home, and use it in their new home, to keep warm.”

Inn from the Cold is always looking for donations to help the families, but will only take new items. 

“Our major needs right now are usually baby items, like diapers and formula and things like that,” said Widmeyer. 

Go to www.innfromthecold.org to find out how you can help, or to see the current wish list.