The non-profit’s fundraising walk is scheduled for Feb. 25 and everything raised in Nanaimo stays in Nanaimo, said Michelle Authier, society operations manager and event coordinator.

The society runs a women’s shelter, services for people experiencing crisis and a sobering and assessment facility, which has six beds and is a safe place where people in “active addiction” can detox, said Authier.

“A lot of times police would take people to cells to ‘dry out.’ That’s a bit of a waste of a resource and so instead they’re re-routing them to our Crescent House where they’re able to be assessed and monitored … transported to hospital if needed,” Authier said.

Approximately $34,000 was raised last year and Authier said more participants will help the society break the $40,000 goal. As of Tuesday morning, there are 23 teams signed up and more than $7,000 raised. Each team has a target of $2,000.

Authier said 30 teams is the target, but she would love to see 35. The more teams the better.

“They kind of have an algorithm they use,” said Authier. “This many team members with this many captains produces this much fundraising and so our goal is to raise $40,000 and so you get there by having at least 30 captains and getting team members to join them.”

The walk starts at John Barsby Secondary School, 550 Seventh St., on Feb. 25 beginning at 5 p.m., with two-, five- and 10-kilometre walk options available.

Walkers under 17 years old who raise $75 and adults who raise $150 also get a memento – the Coldest Night of the Year toque.

“The toque this year is really cool. It’s got a reflector strip built into it so that you’re safer on the street,” said Authier. “It’s kind of got a hockey theme to it. It looks like an old-fashioned hockey jersey, yellow and blue.”

Registration begins at 4 p.m. and a meal will be served around 6 p.m.

Volunteers are also sought and if interested, please call Authier at 250-616-1984.

For more information, please go to www.canada.cnoy.org/location/nanaimo.