Residents of Goderich Plan to Brave the Cold to Raise Awareness for Homelessness

Mary and Steve Bruce at their businesses.

Coldest Night of the Year is a fundraising walk in support of local charities like the Huron Homelessness Initiative serving people experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness.

Taking place on February 28, CNOY Goderich helps raise funds and awareness to help ensure no one is left out in the cold, hungry or feeling alone.

To support those individuals experiencing homelessness or isolation, Mary Bruce, co-owner of Steve and Mary’s on the Square, along with Mayor Trevor Bazinet, and Councillor Randy Carroll, will sleep outside to raise awareness.

Bruce, Bazinet and Carroll will sleep outside Steve and Mary’s on the Square on Saturday, February 21 from 5 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning.

“I’ve been homeless before, and now I’m older with a home and a business,” admitted Bruce.

“Experiencing it again will remind me how difficult it really is. I hope it gives me even more compassion for those in need.

“There’s so much judgment toward people who are homeless; many assume they deserve it, but that’s simply not true. I want to bring awareness and compassion to that.”

The trio will meet with former homeless individuals to ensure that they follow the full experience of what it’s like to attempt sleeping in the cold temperatures.

Steve and Mary’s on the Square will also serve as a warming station during the annual CNOY fundraiser on Feb. 28. Mary and her co-owner/husband Steve will offer fresh soup to walkers participating in the event. 

“There’s always a story behind the reason; it could be an addiction issue, a mental health issue, or maybe they can’t afford it because of financial stresses in their lives,” said Steve Bruce. 

Along with running their restaurant business, Steve and Mary have been involved with the community since they opened their doors in 2019. The couple have organized Christmas markets, community fundraisers and their Home for the Holidays event, which fed 240 people last year.  

“Most of what we do is personal. We do it for our own hearts because it’s the right thing to do,” explained Mary.

“These events also help our business. By getting our name out there, people know it’s a safe place to be. It feels like home to them.

“Most of my life, I felt unsafe, so opening this business in the community has been an incredible experience. I want to do better because it’s the right thing to do.”

Steve and Mary plan to participate in the Legion’s upcoming Chilli Cookoff on Feb. 7 during Winterfest, as well as host their Home for the Holidays and Last-Minute Christmas Market events again in December. 

Further to their generous involvement in the community, Steve also runs a podcast called “What’s Up Goderich,” focusing on interviewing residents who wish to share their voices with the community, to tell their stories. 

The podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.