The campaign to encourage Cochranites to get out and support those in need this winter through the Coldest Night of the Year walk is officially underway.
Organizer Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area has a target of $75,000 in this, the 5th year of the popular event in town.
“It’s a pretty big deal – it’s been five years in Cochrane already,” said Helping Hands executive director Laura McDonald.
“Right now we’re just kind of kicking it off – the website is live, walkers can register themselves or their teams,” she said.
The local walk is in conjunction with a larger initiative.
“Coldest Night of the Year is a pretty big deal now, it happens all across North America, and the all the funds raised benefit the hurt, the hungry and the homeless,” McDonald said.
Proceeds from the Cochrane walk will go to area charities.
She wants to encourage Cochranites to go and register on the website so they can get the ball rolling towards their target.
“Right now we’re at $1,275, so we’re one per cent towards our target,” she said.
“It’s going to be bigger and better than ever, we’re so excited. We’re holding it down at the SLS Centre again, there’s lots of room for people and growth and we’re going to hope for a good cold night so we can all get uncomfortable together, and that’s the whole point, to get a sense of what it would feel like to not have the creature comforts of home,” she said.
The walk starts at 4 pm on Feb.22. To register and pledge go to cnoy.org/cochrane.
Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area strengthens community and reduces vulnerability by connecting volunteers to people needing support through innovative programs and collaborative responses. Programs are barrier-free and available to anyone struggling without a natural support system.
“CNOY supports all the work that Helping Hands does: offering support across the community, helping people navigate isolation, navigating a lack of transportation to get to their critical appointments, making connections with family and friends, helping people who don’t have anyone to turn to anymore – that’s the type of community we’re building,” McDonald said.
