Wood's Homes will host a 'Coldest Night of the Year' fundraising walk at Henderson Lake Park on February 24, 2024. Streets Alive Mission will also host a walk in the downtown area of Lethbridge. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Coldest Night of the Year to raise funds for vulnerable community members

Feb 20, 2024 | 5:45 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Anticipation is building for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY).

The event is a fundraising walk aimed at supporting vulnerable people across Canada. In Lethbridge, there will be two walks on February 24, 2024, with one supporting Streets Alive Mission and the other helping out Wood’s Homes.

Carrie Dahl, Fund Development Coordinator with Wood’s Homes said participants can choose to walk a two-kilometre or five-kilometre path around Henderson Lake. She noted that funds raised in support of Wood’s Homes will go toward supporting at-risk youth in the community.

Dahl said, “All the funds are going toward our CORE Emergency Youth Shelter, which is an eight-bed facility that provides sleeping [arrangements], meals, laundry facilities, shower and clothing and crisis support to youth that are either homeless or facing homelessness.”

She added, “Walks like this and all of our fundraising [initiatives], they have a big impact on the young people in our community.”

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This is the second year that Wood’s Homes has been involved with the CNOY.

Dahl stated, “Last year was a great year for us to just dip our toes in the water and bring a second option for this event to the city and this year, we’re just hoping to see it grow.”

Between the two walks held in February 2023, officials said over $70,000 was raised.

READ MORE: Over $70,000 raised at Coldest Night of the Year event in Lethbridge

This year, the fundraising goal for Wood’s Homes is $25,000.

Individuals looking to get involved with either walk can register online, participate in-person or volunteer for the event. Dahl noted that those who cannot be there on the day of can still donate to the cause online, but there are added incentives to attend the event in-person.

She said, “Everybody that participates in the walk will also have free access to the final night of the Winter Light Festival at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.”

Additionally, the Lethbridge Bulls baseball club will be on-site at Henderson Lake Park, with players and the team mascot available for photos.

Dahl remarked, “It’ll be a fun family event.”

Check-in for the CNOY walk at Henderson Lake Park is at 4 p.m. on February 24, with the walk starting at 5 p.m., followed by a light meal served at 6 p.m. and then a visit to the Winter Light Festival.

STREETS ALIVE MISSION

Meanwhile, for 2024, Streets Alive Mission aims to raise $70,000 from the CNOY.

The Streets Alive Mission walk will occur simultaneously with the Wood’s Home-hosted walk but will take place in downtown Lethbridge. More details on the downtown walk route are available online.

READ MORE: Over $70,000 raised at Coldest Night of the Year event in Lethbridge

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