The Coldest Night of the Year is set to return to Grande Prairie once again, and with 18 days left on the countdown, the event is looking for your support to reach its $30K goal.
Event Director Christopher Steel explains the annual walk occurs in 150 cities across the country every February. This year, the proceeds from the event will go directly to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Northwest.
“All of the funds raised will stay in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area, and it’s to raise money for the hurt, hungry, and homeless in our area,” he says. “It helps support programs we already have here in Grande Prairie, helping people that are maybe facing homelessness or mental health challenges, or just seeking that kind of support.”
Steel says the event aims to give participants a taste of what the city’s unhoused population goes through every winter, but the walk also marks a good opportunity for residents to connect with the community.
“It’s a walk, on the coldest night of the year, hopefully, it’s not actually, and it’s just a come-together and show of support for these programs and the people who need it here,” he says. “It is a really fun night; we have fun activities, there is food that’s provided when you get to the end, and it’s a great way to get together with the community and come down and show your support here.”
Steel adds that getting involved is easy. He says anyone can donate, and there are several options to participate.
“You can either register to fundraise, join a team, or create your own, and fundraise that way, find people who want to help you out to support you to do the walk.”
Participants can also select either a two or five-kilometre walk, and the Event Director says he is counting on Grande Prairie to show support this year.
“We’ve had a good turnout over the last couple of years, so we’re hoping to see quite a bit of a turnout this year, we have 17 teams registered right now, but we still have lots of time before February 22nd,” he says.
This year’s walk is scheduled for February 22nd at Muskoseepi Park. Interested individuals can register to participate, donate, or join a team online on the CMHA’s website.
