LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This Thursday, Metro Louisville is remembering some of the most vulnerable people that died this year.
Wayside Christian Mission's annual memorial service also recognized one man who died at the end of November, on one of the first really cold days of the season. "Primo" died in a tent fire.
Outreach workers with Wayside said Primo was just trying to stay warm when his tent caught on fire.
He is one of many who die on the streets waiting for help.
Reverand Bryan Hagan ministers to the houseless every Sunday morning, and spoke for those lost while standing on the steps of the Jefferson County court house.
They pick Dec. 21 because it is the first day of winter and the longest night of darkness.
"We want people to recover their lives a have a good life with their families and have a good life for themselves," Nina Moseley with Wayside said. "That takes a lot of work, it may start every day with kind words for the homeless until they know you are really there for them and they gain your trust."
Moseley also mentioned now is a good time to start helping, whether that's bringing someone a hot meal or donating to your local shelter.
And in light of the day of remembrance, Norton Healthcare announced a years-long donation to the Arthur Street Hotel.
Over the next three years, Norton plans to dedicate $150,000 to the hotel.
Arthur Street helps people get off the street and into a room where they can stay until they find permanent housing.
Norton's CEO and President Russ Cox said this is just the start of working with the hotel and other outreach organizations.
"The services we provide within our walls are not necessarily always enough they extend outside the walls to people that have more needs than just healthcare," he said. "This is a way we demonstrate how we try our best to look after the needs not just in the walls of the hospital but partner with others to take care of peoples needs outside of health care."
The Arthur Street Hotel helped more than 150 people find permanent housing last year.
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