During the coldest days of winter, a makeshift warming centre in Barrie’s downtown core – and the city’s only warming centre - was recently shut down by local authorities as it was deemed unsafe.
However, the warming centre, which was built by members of Barrie’s homeless community, and its closure, meant that Barrie’s vulnerable were left in desperate need of shelter with nowhere safe and warm to go when temperatures dip below freezing.
Peggy Hill says the fact that there’s currently no permanent warming centre in Barrie is unacceptable, and with other places like community centres, libraries and coffee shops harder to access due to pandemic restrictions, many people are literally being left out in the cold.
Hill said while this is hugely concerning and everyone including local councillors are upset about it and hoping to find a solution, not enough is being done. Specifically, a strategy to raise the necessary funds to build a permanent warming centre that will double as a cooling centre in the summer months.
“Everyone is up in arms about it but nobody wants to do anything about it, everybody wants to talk about it but nobody wants to take action,” said Hill, owner and operator of RE/MAX Hallmark Peggy Hill Group Realty.
Because Hill and her team are dedicated to helping their community and want to see this warming centre built, they decided to take action by donating $10,000, and are challenging other local real estate agents to do the same.
“This has been a really devastating time for all of us, however some of us have been affected a lot more than others,” she said. “But realtors have not, we have not been financially affected by this pandemic and I think we should be the ones helping out the people that have.”
A challenge to Realtors to match or beat the Peggy Hill Team donation to raise $100,000
Hill said her donation is just a start, and she’s challenging realtors to donate, match or beat The Peggy Hill Team donation. Also, anyone who’s able to support their efforts in building this much needed warming centre, is urged to make a donation as any amount will help them reach their goal of raising $100,000.
“The $10,000 will help with something temporary for the next few months, but I’m hoping to raise $100,000 so we can get something permanent so we’re not scrambling again next winter trying to figure out where people can go,” she said.
Hill and her team have created an online fundraiser that to date has raised just over $12,000. All donations will assist the John Howard Society of Simcoe & Muskoka, which is overseeing the opening and building of a permanent location.
Recently, they have secured a temporary location on Anne Street South.
The Peggy Hill Team is dedicated to supporting the Barrie community and helping to make the building of the warming centre a reality. Anyone who wants to help can donate to their online fundraiser until March 31, 2022.
They also offer real estate services from Toronto to Muskoka, so if you’re interested in buying or selling give them a call at 705-739-4455. You can also contact the team or connect with them on their Facebook page.