The Coldest Night of the Year, a nationwide walk that raises money for organizations that work with people experiencing hunger and homelessness, is taking place today in Okotoks.
Hosted locally by Baby It’s Cold Outside, it’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for the organization that has been operating for over 25 years.
The walk departs from the Foothills Centennial Centre at 5 p.m. Teams or individuals raise money and walk 2.5 or five kilometres.
Anyone interested in participating can register at cnoy.org/location/okotoks to walk as an individual or team, join an existing team or donate, said Baby It’s Cold Outside founder Pamela Morgan.
New this year, Winter Fest, a fun community event, will warm things up before the walk begins.
Activities start at 2:30 p.m., including balloon animals and face painting, maple taffy and sno-cones, snowshoe races, a photo booth and an ice carver.
Despite the family-friendly atmosphere, Morgan said homelessness is a growing concern in Okotoks.
The number of people couch surfing is on the rise and is leading to people sleeping outdoors, she said.
The organization’s goal is to raise $20,000 from the walk, Morgan said.
“It goes to our initiatives that we do in the Foothills,” she said. “That money never leaves our community.”
