Alberni Community and Women’s Services (ACAWS) is encouraging residents of Port Alberni and surrounding area to bundle up and raise cold, hard cash for The Coldest Night of the Year (WALK). A family-friendly and pet-friendly winter fundraising walk for Port Alberni’s homeless, hungry and hurting, the walk/run takes place on the evening of February 25, 2017.
Thousands of participants will be taking part in the WALK in an anticipated 100 cities across Canada. 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 ACAWS in providing much-needed support to members of our community.
The Port Alberni WALK begins and ends at North Island College, located at 3699 Roger Street, where walkers will register, turn in the results of their fundraising efforts, and return at the end of the evening for a warm celebration meal. Donning iconic yellow toques, participants will walk a 2 km, 5 km or 10 km route, and will warm up with warm drinks at rest stops along the way.
Registration starts at 4 p.m. inside North Island College. The opening ceremony and speeches start at 5 p.m. and the sendoff for walkers will start at 5:15 p.m. The whole event will wrap up by 8 p.m.
This is Alberni Community and Women’s Services Society’s first year taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year, with a fundraising goal of $25000. The society also set out to attract 150 walkers to mark Canada’s 150th birthday. We are happy to report we are almost to our target, both financially and participants. We are expecting 200 walkers and 20 teams, including staff and friends of Alberni Community and Women’s Services and top fundraiser Huu-ay-aht First Nation are expected to brave the cold winter’s night. Community sponsors include Pete’s Mountain Meats, Tim Hortons, and Save on Foods.
Alberni Community and Women’s Services Society has been serving the community of Port Alberni for 37 years, and the funds raised in the Coldest Night of the Year will benefit their clients in a time of the year known historically for low levels of giving.
