HOMELESS CLIFF now has more than $17,000 thanks to a Go Fund Me campaign by the community. Courtesy photo.
Homeless Cliff has struck it rich.
More than $17,000 has been raised by residents in the Bloor St. W. and Prince Edward Drive community to help a homeless man who has fallen on hard times.
A fundraiser on Go Fund Me was started in early February by Luisa Piccirilli to help a man, identified as Cliff, who she said in a social media post has been staying in a bus shelter on Prince Edward Dr., or on Grenview, just south of Bloor St. W.
Piccirilli has used her own funds to pay for a week’s stay for Cliff at a local motel so he could get out of the cold. Another resident has vowed to pick up his stay for another week since it is freezing outside.
“He is a very kind soul living in our neighbourhood,” Piccirilli said. “He is homeless and most days can be found at the bus shelter.”
She is calling on others to donate if possible some gift cards for food such as No Frills, Tim Horton’s or Starbucks.
“I welcome any suggestions you may have and thank you in advance for your compassion and understanding,” she wrote.
Picirilli said there are others ‘working around the clock’ to find Cliff a more permanent home.
He is also in need of warm socks, base layers, gloves and winter gear.
“He will be seeing an eye doctor for an exam at the end of the month and getting a new free pair of glasses thanks to FYI Doctors who heard about his story on the radio,” Picirilli posted. “He will also be speaking to a case worker on Monday.”
She said a priority is to find a long-term home for Cliff as the temperature drops.
So far more than $17,000 has been raised to help Cliff, though organizers were hoping for $10,000.
All the funds will be used to help Cliff, residents say.
Picirilli’s efforts to help Cliff has been recognized on social media by fellow neighbours and friends.
“I commend Luisa’s effort to help this gentleman who has fallen upon difficult times,” Susan Jones replied as she made a donation.
“It is natural to help others if we have the ability to do so, not because of anything,” wrote Queenie Law. “Wish everyone can be safe and happy.”
- V. Viteri said this is a definition of neighbourly love.
“This is what love thy neighbour means, showing kindness to perfect strangers,” Viteri said.