The Coldest Night of the Year is returning to Cloverdale Feb. 24.
Hosted locally by the Cloverdale Community Kitchen (CCK), the annual fundraiser is a family-friendly event that helps support the less fortunate, while at the same time raises awareness about homelessness in the Cloverdale community.
The nationwide event sees thousands of people take part in many communities across Canada. People gather in teams, or as individuals, raise pledges, and walk through their local towns.
“We invite and encourage everyone who can, to participate,” noted Lindsay Rempel, event director for CCK.
Rempel encouraged Cloverdalians to grab friends, family, coworkers and neighbours to start up a fundraising team.
“This is a fun, family event where you can also feel good about giving back to your community,” she added. “One hundred per cent of the funds raised stay in Cloverdale and help us continue to serve those who need a little extra hand-up. Every dollar makes a difference and together we can do so much.”
With more than five weeks to go, CCK has already raised 13 per cent of its fundraising total—garnering nearly $37,000 of its $280,000 goal.
Last year, the Kitchen raised more than $274K during Coldest Night—the most for any location in Canada. Donations from people in Cloverdale and the surrounding communities in 2023 rose above 2022’s high water mark of $230,000 by more than $44K.
Canada-wide, all locations broke the overall goal of $12 million in 2023 with all participants raising more than $12.4 million.
SEE ALSO: Cloverdale’s Coldest Night raises more than $274K, breaks previous year’s record
More than 125 walkers in 49 teams have already signed up for the Cloverdale iteration of Coldest Night.
The in-person Cloverdale walk begins and ends at the Community Kitchen. Walkers will be able to register, turn in results of their fundraising efforts, and return at the end of the evening to celebrate their achievements.
Participants will walk a two kilometre or five kilometre route. There will also be rest stops along the way where participants can warm up with some hot drinks.
Last year organizers welcomed 500 walkers and 60 teams, including staff and friends of the Cloverdale Community Kitchen.
Rempel said walkers who raise more than $150 ($75 for youth) will also be given one of the special CNOY toques.
“Tens of thousands of Canadians will take to the streets for CNOY with events taking place in 200 cities, towns, and communities across the country,” Rempel said. “By walking together in the chill of the night, participants will better understand the experience of being on the streets during a cold Canadian winter, while raising funds to aid the work of Cloverdale Community Kitchen in providing much-needed support.”
Anyone who wants to sign up to support Coldest Night can register by visiting cnoy.org/register.
The Cloverdale Community Kitchen has been serving Cloverdale for more than 10 years. They are located at 5337 180th Street. For more info on Coldest Night, or the Kitchen, visit mycck.ca.