Campers Brave Cold to Help the Less Fortunate Heat Their Homes

For the next two frigid nights, Colchester Police Officer Rob Suchecki and three other men are sleeping in tents on the Colchester Green.

“Right now pretty sparse, we’ll set up two cots up in there,” Suchecki said, showing NBC Connecticut his tent.

The forecast with the wind chills near 30 below zero is not stopping the 7th annual “Freezin for a Reason,” which raises money for the Colchester Fuel Bank and helps the less fortunate heat their homes.

“There are too many people that are forced to keep their thermostats at 50 degrees because they can’t afford to heat their homes and buy medications or groceries,” said Fred Brown, another one of the men camping out in the cold.

“It’s a small thing to do for me to help other people,” Suchecki said.

Other outdoor events such as the annual Winterfest at New Britain’s Walnut Hill Park took precautions to help keep parents and their children safe. Organizers provided two warming buses and set up a fire pit.

“It’s cold, but not cold enough to shut us down,” said Eric Barbieri, the director of New Britain’s Parks and Rec, “so we’re happy that we’re Friday and not the really brutal stuff tomorrow and Sunday.”

The brave men camping out in the brutal cold in Colchester have a large supply of wood to keep their fire burning.

“I would rather be safe than sorry, I’m fond of my fingers, but we’ve taken precautions,” Brown said.

The men say they’re hoping the extreme cold will help them reach their fundraising goal of $10,000. They have raised $42,000 during the previous six events, Brown said.

“People aren’t going to come out if its 60 degrees, we’re just four guys getting away from our wives for the weekend if that’s the case,” Suchecki said.

“However, if it’s minus 30 degrees, 40 with wind chill, they’re going come out and donate more,” Brown said.

For how you can donate online, visit the organizer's Facebook page.

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