Vernon walkers brave the cold in support of those in need

WATCH

The Upper Room Mission’s 6th annual Coldest Night of the Year walk on Feb.24

UPDATE: The Upper Room Mission has reached 56 per cent of their fundraising goal by Tues. afternoon, with a total of $28,083 raised so far.

———-

Saturday night may not have actually been the coldest night of the year, but that didn’t stop walkers from hitting the streets in support of Vernon’s hungry, hurting and homeless.

The Upper Room Mission held its annual Coldest Night of the Year event, with 168 participants of all ages pounding the pavement through the city to raise money for the Mission’s food security program which provides over 350 meals a day to seniors, individuals and families.

The fundraising goal for the Vernon walk, which is now in its sixth year, was $50,000. At the start of Saturday’s event, the Upper Room Mission’s executive director, Lisa Anderson said the event had raised $28,083. By Tuesday afternoon the event had reached 56 per cent of its goal.

Every $50 raised, Anderson said, provides 15 meals for people in need.

After sponsoring her parents in the walk each year, Armstrong resident Samantha Beerstra decided to register a team herself. She was inspired to do so by her six-year-old son, Tyson.

“Every year Tyson saves money from his birthday and Christmas and stuff, and donates it. A while ago we drove past the (homeless) camp at the end of town, and he said he thought it would be cool to live in a tent like that, and that he wanted to live there. But when I explained that the people who lived in the tents do because they don’t have a house, he said he wanted to help,” Beerstra explained.

Tyson raised $688 dollars in support of the Mission this year and she couldn’t be more proud.

Volunteer Lorie Smart supports the event because she feels no one should have to go without.

“It’s not right, you know? I try to do what I can. I volunteer with Driving Hands too, and you go out on the winter nights and sometimes you see someone standing outside the Tim Hortons or whatever, freezing, with no where to go. I can’t give them a house, but I carry blankets in the car to hand out and I support the Mission as often as I can.”

The annual event, held on what is traditionally the coldest night of the year, included 30 volunteers and 33 teams. The Coldest Night of the Year takes place annually in cities across Canada in February.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Coldest Night of the Year, can do so online at https://cnoy.org/location/vernon until the end of March.

Erin Christie

Morning Star Staff