Light up the Square in Windermere helps collect clothing donations for Hope Mission
Edmontonians helped donate winter clothing for the Hope Mission at an event in Windermere on Sunday.
The businesses at Currents of Windermere Town Square partnered with the shelter to host a clothing and donation drive to support the needs of vulnerable Edmontonians as temperatures plunge.
In addition to supporting a worthy cause, the Grinch made an appearance and will light up the Towne Square at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Renowned chef Steve Buzak also created several holiday-themed ice sculptures to enjoy.
Wanda Crantz, shopping centre manager, told CTV News Edmonton that the complex of small businesses is always looking to give back to the community.
Ever since the Hope Mission's winter clothing and supplies warehouse burned down in October, Crantz said the businesses wanted to help do their part to support those experiencing homelessness.
Lauren Reid, community liaison for the Hope Mission, said it was only fitting that the event happened on a cold winter day in Edmonton.
"It is so cold right now," Reid added. "I'm really grateful that on a day like today, I have warm spaces I can go into.
"Without things like shelters, for people experiencing homelessness, days like today are serious problems. They are really dangerous."
While the Hope Mission received numerous donations after the fire, Reid said the cold weather is causing the shelter to go through winter clothing and supplies very quickly.
"There is a huge store we need to build back up," she said. "Any help from the community is really appreciated."
Reid said toques, gloves, and mitts are some of the items in most need for the shelter.
"We blast through winter goods," Reid said. "We are so grateful for your compassionate saving help."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Weapon in deadly 'Rust' film set shooting could not be fired without pulling the trigger, FBI forensic testing finds
FBI testing of the gun used in the fatal shooting on the movie set of 'Rust' found that the weapon handled by actor Alec Baldwin could not be fired without pulling the trigger while the gun was cocked, according to a newly released forensics report.

Republicans demand to see affidavit that justified FBI search of Trump's home
Republicans stepped up calls on Sunday for the release of an FBI affidavit showing the underlying justification for its seizure of documents at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.
Fire at Cairo Coptic church kills 41, including 10 children
A fire ripped through a packed Coptic Orthodox church during morning services in Egypt's capital on Sunday, quickly filling it with thick black smoke and killing 41 worshippers, including at least 10 children. Fourteen people were injured.
Catastrophic climate-induced flooding in Calif. could become twice as likely, research finds
A new study is offering a dire prediction for the U.S. state of California, where scientists say catastrophic flooding could become twice as likely in the future due to the effects of climate change.
Antarctica ice melt is accelerating, and research says an overlooked coastal current is to blame
A new study suggests that Antarctica’s ice shelves may be melting faster than previously believed, which is causing sea levels to rise at a more rapid pace and accelerating the dangers of climate change.
Arizona parents arrested trying to get in locked-down school
Police arrested three Arizona parents, shocking two of them with stun guns, as they tried to force their way into a school that police locked down Friday after an armed man was seen trying to get on campus, authorities said.
Norway puts down Freya the walrus that drew Oslo crowds
Authorities in Norway said Sunday they have euthanized a walrus that had drawn crowds of spectators in the Oslo Fjord after concluding that it posed a risk to humans.
'Fanaticism is a danger to free expression everywhere': Ignatieff on Rushdie attack
After Indian-born British novelist Salman Rushdie was attacked during a writing conference in western New York on Friday, current and former Canadian politicians are weighing in on what such attacks mean for freedom of expression and thought.
Salman Rushdie 'on the road to recovery,' agent says
Salman Rushdie is 'on the road to recovery,' his agent confirmed Sunday, two days after the author of 'The Satanic Verses' suffered serious injuries in a stabbing at a lecture in upstate New York.