It's cold out there. And there was a time that I lived out there in this cold so I know what it's like to be outside and not have anywhere to go. Not be able to get warm feeling so many different things. Afraid, tired, sad, lost, broken, and so cold and so completely alone. It's humbling it's impossibly hard to describe how hard it is and unless you lived it you just can't know it or understand it. And I know that it was my choices and my choices alone that kept me out there so long but that doesn't mean that I didn't deserve help. I thankfully I'm so gratefully and never ever will I take it for granted, that I have now been in my own home this being the third January that I can say that. I can't describe how sad and heartbreaking it is when you can't say the simple phrase ' I'm going home' because you don't have one to go to. And how much longing I would have hearing another person say that and how envious I truly was. I didn't get into a home of my own on my own I had help from organizations in my city and there were times when people weren't very kind people in stores workers just other people out in the world. Making their snap judgments and looking down at me and it was very eye-opening and humbling and I'm actually grateful I got to experience it because it showed me a different side of people and how hard it is out there when you're instantly thought to be a certain way just because of how you look or how you live or any of that your nationality. It shouldn't be that way but it is it very much is. But I also got to see another side of humanity and it was when they were humane. It was when they went out of their way to do something for me a complete stranger, who was very obviously struggling and not okay even though I tried to hide it you can't. That chose to do something for me that was just above and beyond anybody's expectations of another human being. Like paying when I didn't have enough at certain times or pulling their truck over in the middle of winter in the middle of the night when I'm pushing a shop and cart full of stuff around and handing me a Tim Hortons card with money on it to go get a drink. Or coming and bringing me the tip I left for the lady at the counter at Tim Hortons and put it in front of me and not saying a word never making me feel small or like a charity case. Or that same great lady who would say oh we messed up her drink last time she gets this one for free. Those moments I'll never forget and I'll never be anything but the most humble and grateful person for that. Because this world is Harsh and I know how harsh it is and not just cuz of that part of my life but because it's 2024 this world stole my 22 year old son from me. There truly is a dark side to this world. And in what felt like the blink of an eye it showed me just how dark it could be because one second I had my son and then another he was just gone. And so unfairly and unkindly less than 3 months later grief from losing Aiden cost my mother her life. Her fight against a death sentence from cancer that she had been holding off by pure strength and will inside of her three times as long as the oncologist gave her. So I want to do this for all the people out there who could use a little bit of help and kindness and I'm not in any place where I can go and really make a big difference with a bunch of money and I'm on a fixed income but I manage to do as best I can and if I can make a difference by walking and raising some money I want to do that. My name is Jodie Nicole frenette I'm 44 years old and I want to thank you all the people who work in the organizations or at the stores. Or the ones that stood in line behind me a handful of times actually, and saw me struggling to pay for something and stepped up to help me. I'm forever grateful and won't ever forget all of you who chose to be a good human being towards me just because they wanted to. Thank you, I can't even begin to say a big enough thank you. But I'll keep trying and saying it.  I'm crying cuz I can still feel the harshness of that life and also the kindness from those people so thank you. No I'm going to ask anyone reading this if they want to help me to help others. And if not I still am thankful that you took the time to read my words just acknowledging a person another human sometimes it's so meaningful. Thanks again