Coldest Night of the Year fundraisers set for today

By Steffanie Costigan - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 24, 2024.

Two local organizations are preparing to take part in the annual “Coldest Night of the Year” fundraiser today.

Streets Alive Mission is set to host their walk downtown, while Wood’s Homes is hosting their second annual event at Henderson Lake.

Originally the Wood’s Homes event has been staged in Calgary but with the success it was decided last year to try it in Lethbridge.

Wood’s Homes fund development coordinator, Carrie Dahl, shared the length of the Coldest Night of the Year walk around Henderson Lake and the engaging activities after completing the walk.

“It’s a 2k or 5k walk around Henderson Lake with the evening wrapping up with some warm drinks and food. And all participants are given complementary access to the last night of the Winter Lights Festival in the Japanese garden,” said Dahl.

The Wood’s Homes walk has a fundraising goal of $25,000 and so far $5,580 has been raised.

“The event is aimed at raising funds for our core youth shelter in Lethbridge. It is an initiative that happens across the country and even to the states where organizations all get together and raise money for their different causes, mostly aimed at homelessness and providing services to those facing homelessness,” she said.

Saturday is not looking too cold for the Coldest Night of the Year event with a high of 5 expected and a low of -1.

“We just hope to grow on that and expand the reach and the impact that we can make in the community. It is a fairly new event and we’re definitely looking forward to it,” said Dahl.

The Streets Alive walk – also a 2k or 5k route – begins at Downtown Festival Square. The organization says that last year more than $66,000 was raised to support the work they do helping to meet the needs of those struggling with poverty. This year they hope to increase that amount to $70,000.

Both walks start at 5 p.m. with check-in at 4 p.m.

For more information visit cnoy.org/location/lethbridgedowntown (Streets Alive) and cnoy.org/location/lethbridgehenderson (Wood’s Homes)

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