Kamloops residents are being encouraged to bundle up and step out for a good cause later this month as The Mustard Seed hosts the annual Coldest Night of the Year winter walk.
Taking place on Saturday, February 28, the family-friendly event is part of a nationwide fundraiser supporting people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Locally, all funds raised will stay in Kamloops to support The Mustard Seed’s housing, essential support, and wellness programs.
“Coldest Night of the Year is really about showing up for your community,” said Katie Hutchins, Community and Volunteer Engagement Manager with The Mustard Seed in Kamloops. “By walking together on a cold night, we’re showing compassion and solidarity for people who are facing unstable living environments or seeking help at The Mustard Seed.”
The event will be based out of the Delta Hotels Kamloops, with registration opening at 4:00 p.m., a kick-off ceremony at 5:00 p.m., and a light meal following the walk at 6:00 p.m. Participants can choose between a 2-kilometre or 5-kilometre route through the downtown area.
Coldest Night of the Year is one of The Mustard Seed’s most significant fundraising events, not just locally but across the country. The walk happens in communities nationwide and in nearly all cities where The Mustard Seed operates, including Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, and Saskatoon.
Participation is open to individuals, families, workplaces, and community groups, and there is no registration fee. Walkers can sign up online, form teams, and set fundraising goals through the event website. For those unable to attend in person, offsite participation and online donations are also available throughout February.
“The great thing about this event is that anyone can take part,” Hutchins said. “You can start a team with your family, your coworkers, or a club you’re part of, set a goal, and fundraise together. It’s really straightforward.”
While most donations are collected online, in-person donations are also welcome on event day or at The Mustard Seed’s Kamloops location. Community members who can’t attend the walk are encouraged to donate to an existing team or directly to the organization.
Hutchins says the event is about more than fundraising.
“Kamloops is really great at showing support and coming together,” she said. “We don’t have to do everything, but we can do something small — and it means more than you think.”
More information and registration details can be found at TheSeed.ca/CNOY.
