NANAIMO — Organizers say fundraising efforts are on track, a week out from the Coldest Night of the Year.
While the weather forecast might not back up the name, the annual event in support of the Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS) in Nanaimo and Oceanside sees participants fundraise money, then complete either a two or five kilometre walk through local streets.
This year’s walks are taking place from Nanaimo’s John Barsby Secondary School, as well as at St. Stephen’s Church in Qualicum Beach, on Saturday, Feb. 28 with the goal of raising $250,000 between the two events.
“Coldest Night is our biggest fundraiser of the year, this is our 15th year in Nanaimo and we’ve had some people who’ve been a part of this event from year one and we’ve had lots of new faces sign up each year,” Jennifer Short, development manager with ICCS, said.
Those heading out on Saturday will complete their chosen walk before returning to their starting location to enjoy a warm meal of chili and a bun.
The idea is to give a very brief, first-hand account of being out in the elements during a winter night, then having a meal which might be typically served in a shelter or soup kitchen.
Short told NanaimoNewsNOW all the money raised from the event goes into a Community Impact Fund.
“For us, that just means a flexible fund that allows us to say ‘yes’ to the people we house, if they’re facing a crisis or are in need of something. We’re fortunate to receive funding from BC Housing or Island Health, but that funding is really restrictive in what we can spend it on.”
Purchasing boots, glasses or bus passes for clients were just a few of the examples Short listed where the fund is useful to have on hand.
Money raised at each respective walk stays in the community it was raised in, meaning those heading out are directly contributing to helping those close to home.
“Communities like to see that money raised stays in their communities and that’s a really big thing of Coldest Night. Even though it’s a national event, all the money raised at each walk stays in that community so people really know money they’re donating is going towards what they’re seeing happening in their own community.”
As of Friday, Feb. 20, the Nanaimo event had raised over $73,000 (58 per cent of the goal), while Oceanside had collected nearly $105,000 (83 per cent of the goal).
Short noted donations typically flood in during the final week before the event, as well as the week following.
Full details on the event, including to donate, is available here for Nanaimo, or here for Oceanside.
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