Submitted by Castlegar and District Community Services
Despite the pandemic, the Coldest Night of the Year went forth planning for a virtual event, continuing to maintain its dedication to raising funds for homeless and vulnerable persons across Canada, in hundreds of communities.
By February, 2021 Castlegar’s Coldest Night of the Year event had raised up to $14,755 of thier $20,000 goal — there is still one more month to reach that goal.
The Coldest Night of the Year website cnoy.org/castlegar will remain open for the month of March to donations virtually. People can still sign up to walk or donate and companies can sign up to sponsor. Funds raised will go to the Homelessness Partnering Project, homelessness shelter at the Flamingo Motel and Youth Action Network programs run out of Castlegar and District Community Services. Because we are raising money for charity, all donations over $20 are tax deductible.
By the end of February, 14 teams and 60 walkers and 190 people had donated or supported this event and four companies had sponsored this cause.
“We would like to thank our sponsors including Mercer Celgar, Teck Trail Operations, Kootenay Savings Credit Union, The Pennywise and the Castlegar Return-it depo,” says event organizer Zoe Mackay.
“Thank you so much for supporting this need in the community.”
The top three walkers so far this year are, Rhylan Streloff from Team Compassion, Marissa Carrasco from the Selkirk Walkers, and Leeza Perehudoff.
For any walkers that have not yet picked up their toques — you can pick them up at the Flamingo Motel, Thursday, March 18, from 4-6 p.m. and Saturday, March 20 from 11 to 2 p.m.
“We will have certificates made up for our top three walkers and encourage representatives from our sponsoring companies to drop in and pick up some extra toques for some of their employees too,” said Mackay.
The challenge is out — Coldest Night survived despite the pandemic, Castlegar has now established a homelessness shelter — now we need your help to show people we care.
“Will you help us reach our goal?” says Mackay. “Walk, donate, sign up today to sponsor. One dollar at a time, one person at a time, because you can. Because you care.”
Visit CNOY.org/castlegar to donate or sign up e-mail Zoe Mackay at youth@cdcss.ca to sponsor.