LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Hundreds of people gathered in Lexington to take part in the 13th annual Walk for Warmth on Saturday.
The proceeds of the event go to the Lexington Rescue Mission's Homeless Intervention Program.
"We use that to house families, to actually help them pay their first month's rent, help them have stable and secure housing," said Kim Livesay, Director of Development for the Lexington Rescue Mission.
In 2019, the program ended homelessness for a total of 81 people, including 28 children.
Matthew Cox is one of the benefactors.
"I've been out there on nights it's so cold, I mean you have everything you have on you and you're still sitting there freezing," Cox said.
Livesay explained they try to schedule the Walk for Warmth in the winter.
"We want to walk on a day like today where it's a little crisp and cold that gets folks the the feel of what it might feel like to have to stay outside all the time," she said.
The 2020 Walk for Warmth takes place a week after Jerry Wayne Johnson, 59, was found dead of hypothermia on Feb. 14 in Lexington.
"It's very dangerous for people to be out in the cold. So it makes a big difference if we can get them a home of their own, you know, a safe place where they can come," said Livesay.
