Malcolm Jenkins at the 2023 Coldest Night of the Year. (Submitted Photo/YWCA Prince Albert)

By Derek Craddock

HELPING THOSE ESCAPE THE COLD

‘Speechless’: YWCA receives massive donation from Malcolm Jenkins Foundation

Dec 13, 2023 | 12:33 PM

The YWCA is overjoyed after a big donation from the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation to help those needing shelter in the cold.

Jenkins recently presented a donation of $25,000 for the YWCA’s cold weather initiatives which include resources for the Stepping Stones shelter.

Speaking to paNOW, Jenkins said anything he can do to help those escaping the cold is worth his while.

“Until something permanent gets built we wanted to assist in trying to make winter a little bit less harsh for a few folks, and let’s really encourage everybody else to think of it the same way and throwing a few bucks,” he said.

Jenkins and his foundation have regularly supported the Coldest Night of The Year, an annual fundraising walk in support of charities helping the homeless and less fortunate.

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David Hambleton is the fund development coordinator with the YWCA Prince Albert and said they were blown away, not just by Malcolm Jenkins’ donation but by the continuous generosity of the community.

“Kind of speechless by that, it was unexpected and it’s this time of year when we’re moving into the coldest time of year,” he said. “Although there’s not a bunch of snow on the ground right now, we know it’s coming…it gets really cold overnight for those that don’t have a place to stay.”

When talking about the need for shelter space from the cold weather, Jenkins acknowledged that the situation won’t resolve overnight and that he and other local groups are working around the clock for a permanent shelter.

“I can’t see it going away but in the short term, we’ve got to help until we get across that bridge,” he said.

The 2024 Coldest Night of the Year has already started with a goal to raise $70,000. The walk is scheduled to take place in Prince Albert on Feb. 24.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com