The Wood's Homes Coldest Night of the Year walk took place at Henderson Lake Park on February 24, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Coldest Night of the Year fundraisers draw crowds in Lethbridge

Feb 26, 2024 | 10:16 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Hundreds of residents in Lethbridge gathered together to support the hungry, hurt and homeless over the weekend.

On Saturday, February 24, 2024, both Wood’s Homes and Streets Alive Mission hosted their fundraising walks for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY).

The country-wide initiative supports vulnerable populations in communities across the nation.

Wood’s Homes hosted a walk around Henderson Lake Park, starting at the Bunka Centre at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, while Streets Alive’s walk took place around the city’s downtown.

Snacks and drinks were provided at midway points throughout the walk around Henderson Lake Park, February 24, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

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Carrie Dahl, Fund Development Coordinator with Wood’s Homes said the turnout was more than double than last year’s, which marked the first time the organization had been involved with the CNOY.

Dahl told Pattison Media, “We had over 100 registered online and about 25 to 30 people just walk in the doors [of Bunka Centre] and join us, so [an] absolutely huge success.”

Funds raised from the Wood’s Home walk will help with the CORE Emergency Youth Shelter. (Photo: LNN)

In total, 15 teams were signed up for the Wood’s Homes walk.

Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas (left) and Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen addressing attendees at the Bunka Centre ahead of the Wood’s Homes CNOY walk, February 24, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

Dahl said of the strong turnout on Saturday, “There’s a lot of faces that we’ve never seen before, so [we’re] reaching out to new people in the community.”

She believes the Wood’s Home walk will continue to grow in the coming years.

“We had some partnerships with the Lethbridge Bulls and Starbucks, and we just really want to expand on all of those partnerships and get a little bit more family oriented, family-friendly just so, you know, when people are in crisis, they know that Wood’s Homes is here for them.”

Members of the Lethbridge Bulls were on-hand at the Wood’s Homes CNOY walk on February 24, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

Dahl explained that funds will go toward the CORE Emergency Youth Shelter, an eight-bed facility that offers sleeping areas, meals, clothing and showers for youth facing or at-risk of homelessness.

As of Monday morning, $8,645 was raised for Wood’s Homes.

Walk participants enjoying a meal of mashed potatoes and vegetables in the Bunka Centre following the walk on February 24, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

Following the walk around Henderson Lake, participants enjoyed a meal of mashed potatoes and vegetables in the Bunka Centre, and were then invited to check out the final night of the Winter Light Festival at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.

STREETS ALIVE

Streets Alive Mission’s downtown walk saw over 200 people registered, along with 32 teams.

As of Monday morning, $61,415 was raised to support work being done by Streets Alive.

Dahl said the next CNOY is set to take place on February 22, 2025.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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