Happy Valley-Goose Bay woman pleads for sleeping bags after friend dies on frozen trail

A Labrador woman wantsto help people who find themselves with nowhere to goafter her friendwas found dead on a trail in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in freezing temperatures.

Thelast time Dawn Crocker saw Susanna Rich, 46, was Feb. 8 at the Sandbar Lounge, where Crocker works as a bartender. Two days later, a body was found on a trail in the town, and Crocker was heartbroken to learn it was her friend.

"It's this day and age, 2020, and people are freezing on trails in our little town, and there is absolutely no need. We need to come together as a community and help," Crocker told CBC'sLabrador Morning.

"Nobody needs to be dying on the trails because they have no placeto go at night," she said.

The RCMPsay they're working with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner andthe cause of death is yet to be determined.

The last time Crockersaw Rich, she gave her coffee and a bite to eat, and then asked her friend if she had a place to go.

"I asked her twice, in fact.'Are you sure? You're not telling me lies, Susanna? You have a place to go, right?" she said. Crocker said Rich assured her she did.

"Had I known she didn't have a place to go, she would have gladly come to my apartment with me," said Crocker.

Crocker says she knew Rich for fiveyears, and duringthat time, often gave her food, rides and kept her out of the cold on many nights.

It's hard to go to sleep at night knowing that someone else may end up freezing to death.- Sherry Bessey

"She was really, really, really loved by everybody who met her," Crockersaid.

"This was her fate, to die in our trail in the middle of town, and it breaks my heart. Nobody needs to do that anymore."

Temperatures in Happy Valley-Goose Bay reached a low of24C the day before Rich was found.

A 'mind-blowing'response

In the wake of her friend's death, Crocker has pleaded on social mediafor sleeping bagsto help people sleeping outdoors to stay a little warmer.

Crocker's friend Sherry Besseyshared her post right away, and said the response from the community, as well as from people reaching out from across Canada, has been overwhelming.

It hasn't only been sleeping bags;blankets, jackets, mittens, scarves and hats are among the donations that Bessey hopes will prevent someone from dying in the cold.

"It breaks my heart," she said."It really, really breaks my heart because I have such a comfortable, warm home to go home to, and it's hard to go to sleep at night knowing that someone else may end up freezing to death and it should never happen."

Crocker is pleased the Housing Hub emergency shelter in Happy Valley-Goose Bay has accepted her donations, and she's also approaching the Labrador Friendship Centre, Salvation Army and the Nunatsiavutgovernment in hopes they can help distribute items, too.

"If anybody goes to the shelter, and they have to turn them away because of an intoxication issue, 'Here, do you need a sleeping bag? Here's a sleeping bag to go with, a warm coat, do you need a hat, pair of mitts?" she said.

Crocker saidRich was a "beautiful soul" who always had a smile no matter how down she was. Right from the start, she said, she knew Rich was a "special lady" who left hermark on her and others in the community.

About 30 people attended a candlelight vigil for Rich organized by the the Mokami Status of Women Council in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and many stayed for a sharing circle in the women's centre afterwards.

Open doors

Advocates for the homeless say there are many reasons why someonecan facehousing instability and barriersto findinga place to stay.

For the past few years, the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition has been lobbying the province to fund an outreach co-ordinator to meet people on the trails.

"We'd like to see someone hired who can go out there, talk with the people, refer them to mental health, refer them to AES [Advanced Education and Skills], refer them to wherever they need to go to get some assistance," said Jackie Compton-Hobbs, a town councillor and member of the coalition.

So far, requests have gone unanswered.

• Province turns down request for outreach co-ordinator for transient population

The emergency shelter is open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Compton-Hobbs says it's supposed to house eight people but it's maxed out at 14 every night.

The coalition has also asked for funding to keep the shelter doors open during the day, but it hasn'tbeenapproved.

Meantime, Crockerurgesanyone who comes across a person in distressto call 911 and get help.

Unless things change, she said, freezing to death will be a sad reality.

In November, Tama Bennett, 23, of Nainwas found dead in a tent in the woods in Happy Valley-Goose Bay; there was public criticism over how her death was investigated by police.

• 'Her life isn't forgotten': Tama Bennett's mother remembers her free, artistic spirit

"Open your doors, that's all I have to say. Please, please, please, if you hear me, open your doors and let these people in tonight," Crockersays.

She and others plan to walk the trails themselves to hand out warm clothing.

"If I can keep 10 people warm tonight, and 10 people warm tomorrow night, and 10 people warm forthe rest of the winter because I'm doing this for Susanna. I don't want anything else to happen to anyone in our community," Crockersaid.

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