Snow Crystals team. Credit Barbarich Photography
A little snow started to fall just in time to make the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk in Nelson a little more winter-like and stunningly beautiful. Over 300 individuals on 59 teams registered to walk on Saturday, Feb 25 to raise funds to support the community and raise funds they did. The community pledged an almost record-breaking $90,788 with a few pledges still to come in. What an amazing show of support, thank you to all of you!
The walkers were greeted by the enthusiastic sounds of the Moving Mosaic Samba Band and hit the streets after a few encouraging words from Nelson CARES Society Board Chair Ron Little, Nelson-Creston MLA (and CNOY volunteer) Brittny Anderson and Mayor Janice Morrison – delivered from the deck of a donated Home Hardware flat-deck truck.
“This is truly a community achievement” said Ron Little. “It is the sponsors and donors that have made the success of Ward Street Place possible; thanks to all of you.”
After a brisk and snowy 2km or 5km walk, all coordinated safely by a crew of volunteer route marshals and support vehicles (with a quick Rest Stop at the Kootenay Co-op), everyone ended up back at St. Joseph’s School for a lovely bowl of warm veggie chilli, cornbread, cookies, and warm cranberry beverage. Girl Guide volunteers from Pathfinders dished out the meal which was prepared by the Post Graduate Hospitality Management program students at Selkirk College under the instruction of David Havemann. The bulk of the ingredients were donated by the Kootenay Co-op Store. The leftover chili and fixins were sent to Stepping Stones Emergency Shelter.
The Nelson Coldest Night teams knocked their fundraising out of the park. The Nelson Covenant Church raised $4,285 followed by the Stepping Stones/NSI Super Stars at $3,400. Teams RBC, Coldwell Banker Rosling Real Estate, and Nelson Rotary Noon and Daybreak Nightwalkers rounded out the top five with over $2,500 each. Sandra Bernier raised the most of any individual walkers with $3,050, followed by Randy Richmond who also cross-country skied over 100km in support of the event. Maria Schuh and Andrew Murray each raised $1,400 or more and also sponsored the event with their respective businesses, Mistiso’s Place Vacation Rentals and Hemlock Homes respectively. Donations are still accepted until the end of March.
The winner of the Hall Street Radio battle between Kootenay Co-op Radio and 103.5 The Bridge will end up with The Bridge spending some time under the bridge in Kootenay Lake. Their friendly fundraising competition ended with Kootenay Co-op Radio raising $1,745 and The Bridge $1,656. It was neck and neck the whole time. This was their first CNOY “battle” and Nelson CARES Society appreciates this sort of friendly competition to support the community.
The Coldest Night of the Year is a walk-a-thon fundraiser that raises awareness and funds for the most vulnerable individuals in our community. The funds raised by the teams, individuals, and sponsors stay in the community to fund the Ready for Home Program operating out of Ward Street Place. The Ready for Home program supports those residents to navigate healthcare, government documents, and many other challenges that allow them to remain safely housed. Nelson CARES Society looks forward to celebrating a decade of community support and hosting the 10th annual Coldest Night in February 2024.
Nelson CARES Society