The weather was good, and the turnout was even better for White Rock’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk.
Held Saturday and hosted by Sources Community Services, the annual event – in which participants walk a two-, five- or 10-km route – saw between 300 and 400 people take part.
While the final numbers were still being tallied, more than $51,000 has been raised so far. Organizers expect that number to end up north of $60,000, still shy of Sources’ original goal of $80,000.
Money raised goes to combat homelessness.
Last year, the walk raised $45,000, but organizers were aiming for far more this year after the organization lost $200,000 in government funding last month for its homelessness-prevention programs in Newton.
Sources’ executive director David Young noted that though the event is over, donations can be made online until April 10.
“We had quite a few (last-minute) donations,” Young explained. “It was a beautiful night, and we had a lot of people come out.”
One of the biggest pledges Saturday came from the Kwantlen Student Association. The organization entered two teams into the walk, and donated $5,000. As well, a dozen members of the association served as event volunteers.
The Ministry of Social Development and Innovation also took part in the event, raising $3,000, Young added.
“We were really thrilled to have them come out and take part,” he said.
The event was held in 65 communities across Canada – including Cloverdale and Whalley – and Young said White Rock is 17th in fundraising Canada-wide. More than $2.8 million was raised across the country, in total.
For more information, visit www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/location/whiterock