Hundreds of Calgarians step up in Crescent Heights to help end homelessness
About 300 people laced up their runners and tackled the McHugh Bluff staircase to help bring an end to homelessness in Calgary.
For every set of the 176 steps that are completed; one dollar is donated to Inn from the Cold and those donations will be match by the Power of One Foundation.
“At Inn from the Cold, 50 per cent of our budget comes from community donations and that's super critical right now, because of the housing crisis, we are seeing more and more families reaching out for support,” said Emma MacIsaac, director of impact and engagement at Inn from the Cold
“That money just helps us continue to provide shelter, housing, wraparound supports for families that are facing the housing crisis and have increased bills as a result of inflation and affordability.”
Steps to End Homelessness was startedin 2009 by Suzanne West, who wanted to do something significant and impactful on her 45th birthday.
“My sister when she turned 45 phoned me and said she wanted to do 45 sets of the Crescent Heights stairs for her birthday and wanted to know if I would join her and I was like, no, that sounds horrible,” said her sister Kathy Rwamuningi.
“Then two days later, she phone and says well, I'm making it a fundraiser, for every set that I and whoever wants to join me does I'll donate $1.
"Then it was a different charity but the next year Inn from the Cold became the benefactor and has had a good partnership ever since.”
Suzanne died in 2019, but her family is committed to continuing this fundraiser.
“These were her stairs. It was her favourite day of the year, favourite thing that she wanted to do. I love coming and feeling her energy here,” said Rwamuningi.
Steps to End Homelessness has raised nearly half a million dollars since it launched in 2009.
This year organizers hope to eclipse the $100,000 mark.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.