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Gov. Steve Bullock and Helena Mayor Jim Smith addressed community members on Wednesday for the Longest Night, a memorial for the 25 known homeless individuals who died in Helena this year.

Kelly McBride, executive director of the YWCA, said the organization hosts the event on the longest night of the year to remember who they’ve lost and to remind those with secure housing to be thankful.

Bullock addressed the crowd at Women’s Park. Wednesday was sunny with temperatures in the 30s, but in past years, Bullock said he left the event after 30 minutes and was chilled to the bone. He acknowledged how blessed he was to have a safe and secure place to go afterward, and called on the community to come together and do all they can to help those in need. He said he hoped he would see a day when a memorial isn’t necessary.

“It’s not a situation we have to tolerate,” he said.

Each year, organizations and community volunteers across the country conduct the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Point-in-Time homeless survey. The survey gives local providers an idea of what is working well and identifies gaps in services.