A charitable organization in Stratford is ramping up its efforts to raise money to ensure people in need have somewhere warm to go when the temperatures dip overnight. Last winter, the city opened its first overnight warming space. The Stratford Council of Churches raised $46,000 to support the city’s efforts last year. This year, they are hoping to more than double that number, and have set a fundraising goal of $100,000. “In our city, we have a gap, and it has to do with the winter months, with people staying warm in the coldest nights of the year,” Trevor Biehn, the pastor at Stratford Jubilee Church, said. Richard and Jane Kneider with Simple Dream Ministries have offered to match up to $10,000 in donations. “If we can be a part to make it a little bit easier for these individuals to know that they have a place to go in the evening, overnight, just to stay warm, that is what we want to be part of,” Jane Kneider said. Stratford’s current mayor, Martin Ritsma, said the program has resulted in fewer service calls. The overnight warming centre will open November 1st and run until April 30th. It will open at 7:00 p.m. and remain open until 9:00 a.m. - two hours longer than last year to give people more time to figure out what their next step may be. Anyone who wants to donate is encouraged to do so at the Not One More Night webpage.
