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Spin classes bring in cash for Good Samaritan

New shelter in South Porcupine open
2018-11-12 Discover Fitness SUP
Kate Durst and Lisa Tremblay of Discover Fitness/Discover Performance helped raise more than $2,800 for the Good Samaritan Inn with the Ride to End Homelessness. Supplied photo

A Timmins gym is doing its part to get the Good Samaritan Inn back on its feet.

Discover Fitness/Discover Performance recently raised more than $2,800 for the shelter, which was devastated by a fire last month.

The Ride to End Homelessness sold out in less than a week.

“We are amazed with the community feedback and participation from our members and non-members alike. It was our first time hosting a fundraising event like this and based on the enthusiasm we’ve seen, it won’t be our last. The amount of people in this City who are willing to give back is wonderful,” said Lisa Tremblay of Discover Performance.

“We did four straight hours of classes with minimal breaks. Our goal was to fill 100 seats and raise $2,000 and we surpassed that. Thank you to everyone who donated and participated.”

Along with the sign-up fee for the event, the club also collected cash donations during the spin classes.

“With this we also wanted to raise awareness concerning the homelessness crisis Timmins is facing. Over 700 people in Timmins fall under the definition of ‘homeless’, and to have the fire at the inn right before our winter months is tragic. We encourage anyone who is able to help out, whether it’s with a donation, clothing, grocery card, anything at all. Every bit helps,” said Tremblay.

The shelter at the corner of Golden Avenue and Evans Street involved in the fire will be demolished.

Another space is being used for a shelter.

In 2013, a donation from Goldcorp allowed the Good Samaritan to buy the former South Porcupine United Church on Bloor Street, next to the fire station.

The doors to that facility opened Saturday at lunchtime, according to Ed Ligocki, Good Samaritan Inn executive director and board chair.

There are seven rooms in the lower level of the building. With two sets of bunk beds per room, there’s space for about 28 people in the rooms. In a large open space next to the kitchen, there could be room for an additional people as well.

If you are looking for a way to help out, a GoFundMe page has raised almost $6,000. You can donate to that here.