Submitted by Castlegar and District Community Services Society
The freezing grip of winter weather has been very noticeable in Castlegar lately and that means that it is time once again for The Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraising walk.
On Feb. 26, 2022, people in Castlegar will join thousands of others in at least 150 cities across Canada in a two to five kilometer winter walk to support people experiencing hunger, hurting, or homelessness in our community by raising funds for local charities.
In Castlegar, the event will support Castlegar and District Community Services (CDCSS) Homelessness Shelter programming as well as the Youth Action Network Program.
CDCSS serves homeless and vulnerable people in the community by providing shelter, clothing, food and transportation as well as a variety of counseling and support programs, outreach and harm reduction services.
The Youth Action Network provides a hub of connections for youth to explore connections with other peers in a safe space, leadership and volunteer experiences that connect them with adults and the larger community and youth involvement in the planning and execution of their programming, including helping to lead Coldest Night of the Year Castlegar from day one. Raising funds to support their own program while giving back to the homeless and raising awareness in the community at the same time.
In 2021 Castlegar’s Coldest Night of the Year event raised about $14,755 through 14 teams, 60 people walking and 190 people donating funds to support the event.
During the past year up to 150 people were served by the Homelessness Shelter programs. The Youth Action Network Program reports up to 590 accesses during the past fiscal year, even with the limitations of COVID-19.
Lead sponsor for all of Castlegar’s CNOY events has been Mercer Celgar, and they will once again sponsor the 2022 event. Other local sponsors include Castlegar News and Kootenay Savings.
For 2022, the walk will be offering the choice between in-person groups and virtual participation, depending on limitations in place regarding COVID at the time.
Local organizers hope to raise $30,000 at CNOY 2022 with the support of 30 or more teams and 150 walkers.
If you would like to walk, donate, volunteer or sponsor the event, visit CNOY.org/castlegar or contact Zoe Mackay at youth@cdcss.ca.