The Shamrock Shuffle in support of Inn Out of the Cold St. Thomas-Elgin received huge community support for its first walk/run event on a balmy St. Patrick’s Day morning (March 17, 2012).
Organizers were hoping for 100 participants, but were estimating over 350 just before start-time. They arrived with a spirit of enthusiasm and many were outfitted in St. Paddy’s green hats, jewels and clothing.
Organizers were hoping for 100 participants, but were estimating over 350 just before start-time. They arrived with a spirit of enthusiasm and many were outfitted in St. Paddy’s green hats, jewels and clothing.
The three women who spearheaded the event (Kathi Joliffe, Doreen Jensen and Linda Doan) gathered runners and walkers in the gymnasium of Central United Church before the pre- walk/run warm-up to thank supporters, volunteers and sponsors, and cheer on participants.
They noted that the event came about when “a passing comment turned into a conversation which turned into the first Shamrock Shuffle”. In planning for it, they found “a lot of heart in St. Thomas” and support for efforts to “ensure everyone in your community has a safe and warm place to sleep.”
They noted that the event came about when “a passing comment turned into a conversation which turned into the first Shamrock Shuffle”. In planning for it, they found “a lot of heart in St. Thomas” and support for efforts to “ensure everyone in your community has a safe and warm place to sleep.”
Click on the slide show below for more photos from the Shamrock Shuffle.
Inn Out of the Cold is a program designed to provide shelter seven nights a week during the winter months which strives to respond, in a meaningful way to the needs of the most abandoned of our community’s poor and homeless people. These needs include the basic physical needs of shelter, food and warm clothing, and the deeply human needs of compassion, dignity and feelings of self worth.
~ Mission Statement
~ Mission Statement
Before the creation of Inn Out of the Cold in the Fall of 2010, there were no emergency shelters for men or youth in St. Thomas and Elgin County. The program is housed in the Central United Church at 135 Wellington Street in St. Thomas.
You can help both through volunteering your time and through financial support. For more information, call 519-633-2638 (ext 220) or email innoutofthecoldelgin@gmail.com.
You can help both through volunteering your time and through financial support. For more information, call 519-633-2638 (ext 220) or email innoutofthecoldelgin@gmail.com.