Countdown commences for first annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk
By Contributor
With less than two weeks to go, Nelson CARES is happy to announce that over 30 teams have signed up to take part in their first annual Coldest Night of the Year WALK to raise funds for the Room to Live Campaign.
“This is our first year organizing this walk and we are grateful to have so many community members get involved,” Event Coordinator, Beth Seed said.
“The response has been wonderful! We’ve had local businesses, community interest groups, individuals, sports teams and school groups sign up.
“EZ Rock has stepped up as our event sponsor and we have teams of paddlers, dancers, singers, students, teachers, physios, nurses, yoga enthusiasts, curlers and friends of Nelson CARES…to name just a few! We’d love to see even more people join us! There is still time for people to sign up.”
The two, five and 10 kilometer non-competitive WALK is held on Saturday, February 21, and provides participants the opportunity to experience a hint of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, while raising much needed funds for the Nelson CARES’ Room to Live campaign (www.roomtolive.ca).
Nelson is one of 80 communities taking part across the country. Proceeds from the Nelson walk will remain in Nelson. There will be a couple of rest stops along the way and at the end there will be a hot bowl of chili to help the walkers warm up after they cross the finish line.
“We hope to raise $25,000 for Room to Live, a renewal project for Ward Street Place,” shared Lisa McGeady, Campaign Coordinator.
“We are on track with over 150 walkers signed up. If you can’t join us for the actual walk, perhaps you could make a donation to someone you know who is walking, or through the website. We have also opened up one of the refurbished apartments at Ward Street Place (503 Victoria St). You could drop off a donation there too and see firsthand what a difference your donation will make.”
The website: www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/nelson provides all the information for the WALK. You can register, make a donation, track the amount of money raised, see the routes for the two, five and 10 kilometer and keep tabs on the Nelson scoreboard.
Ward Street Place (567 Ward Street) is a 100-year-old building and is one of the only low income housing blocks in the region.
It is home to people living in poverty and those who have escaped homelessness. NCARES receives no public funding to operate the building and it serves the region’s most vulnerable citizens.
Invite your family, friends and co-workers to build a team, or walk on your own. There is a $25 entrance fee, but if you raise $150 that fee is waived and you receive a free toque! (as pictured below)
Visit our website: www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/nelson to register, or contact Beth Seed, Event Coordinator for more information at beth@nelsoncares.ca or 250-551-5092.
Anyone wanting to get involved as a volunteer or sponsor, please get in touch.
Photo caption: Beth Seed, CNOY Event Coordinator and Lisa McGeady, Room to Live Campaign Coordinator standing outside of 503 Victoria St apartment at Ward Street Place that has been refurbished. This will also be the starting place for the walk and where participants will register on walk day.
