Knowing how good it feels to be warm, many will take to the streets to brave the Coldest Night of the Year walk Feb. 26 in the name of helping some of Cochrane and area's most vulnerable.
The annual walk aims to collect donations and raise funds for local charities to aid those experiencing homelessness, hunger and hurt all across Canada.
The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area is again spearheading the walk locally for the second year in a row, inviting community members of all ages and walks of life to participate.
"Last year, we had little ones at about five years old and elderly individuals over the ago of 80," said Helping Hands executive director Chairra Nicolle.
"There was a whole spectrum of community members involved. There were all ages, groups, churches, schools, businesses so there was some team-building that way and healthy competition to see who could fundraise the most."
Having surpassed their goal to raise $30,000 by an additional $16,000 last year, the non-profit has raised the bar for 2022 and will be collecting donations to help fund the acquisition of a moving van to assist low-income households with moves through their Movers with Heart program.
Around mid-November, Cochrane Home Treasures generously donated $25,000 to help the non-profit get started on their mission to acquire the cargo van, which will have a high roof to support moving of large furniture.
This year, Helping Hands' goal for the walk is to raise $50,000, which will help pay for the van, winter tires, and other expenses like maintenance and gas, as well as supporting their food security programs such as the free food shed.
Nicolle believes their goal is very achievable given the turnout of 187 walkers they had last year while the event was virtual.
"We will be doing an (in-person) event this year, however, individuals can choose if they want to do it virtually, they're absolutely open to do that on their own," she said. "We just want to make sure everybody feels comfortable and is also able to participate."
The walk is five kilometres and Helping Hands will be leading a group along a route that stretches from Riverfront Park to Cochrane Ranche, where firepits and warm treats will be waiting for hardy winter walkers at the end.
While the walk begins and ends comfortably with folks leaving their warm homes and walking to a warm firepit, the whole reason behind walking during the coldest time of the year, is to make the average person who enjoys everyday luxuries, like heat, feel uncomfortable.
"It's about an hour-and-a-half out in the cold, where some individuals might be spending their whole winter," said Nicolle.
"At the end of the walk, where we'll have coffee and maybe some chili, the idea is to spend some time reflecting on what some individuals struggle with everyday with homelessness and hunger."
More than anything else, Nicolle said, the event is to spread awareness for those experiencing homelessness, hunger and hurt in Cochrane because they aren't always visible.
"There are individuals who struggle daily with these things and it's invisible in our community, but it is very prevalent," she said.
Since its inception in 2011, Coldest Night of the Year has raised $43,500,000 in 149 communities across the country.
Those who wish to participate in this year's walk in Cochrane are encouraged to sign up with a team at cnoy.org/cochrane or make a donation.
Helping Hands began fundraising at the beginning of December and so far has six teams under their roster with $1,170 raised as of Dec. 16.
