Photo Supplied: CNOY/Grande Prairie website

By Abby Zieverink

$50,000 by February 26

Grande Prairie kicks off first annual ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ fundraiser

Feb 4, 2022 | 5:00 AM

The first annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk is making its way to Grande Prairie on February 26.

The annual fundraiser walk takes place in over 150 cities throughout Canada and raises money to help support those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

With the nationwide fundraiser now taking place in Grande Prairie, the money raised at the local event will go to support the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Alberta Northwest region.

“All the funds we raise stay here in Grande Prairie, they do not go to the regional office,” said CMHA Alberta Northwest Chief Operations Manager Carrie Bartsch.

“They (the funds) come to us so we can continue to offer the programs and supports that are all free of service to the public and we can expand and reach vaster audiences and further into our rural areas.”

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Most first-time Coldest Night of the Year fundraisers raise roughly $20,000 however, Bartsch tells EverythingGP they put a challenge in for Grande Prairie and area residents to raise $50,000 by February 26.

“I put the challenge down to say the people of Grande Prairie really care, and this is a community that comes together, and I think we can do more,” she explained. “If we can’t, we are happy with anything we get but that is why I set the goal so high.”

Bartsch asks businesses, clubs, and friend groups to come together to show what Grande Prairie can do as part of a nationwide fundraiser.

She says people can get involved by signing up a team, joining a team, donating to the event directly or pledging a team

“Once they sign up, they will automatically be sent the pledge information and how they can get people to pledge them electronically,” Barsch added.

Then on February 26, at 5 p.m. there will be a two kilometre or five kilometre winter walk at the Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club.

Bartsch encourages teams to dress warm and dress up in unique ways for the family, friendly winter walk.

“Have some fun, and let’s speak loud and proud about mental health for all because everyone experiences mental health. The call and need have gotten so much bigger for mental health and our goal is to answer that call.”

Those unable to participate in person but still want to support the event, can sign up a team and participate virtually.

“Our region goes as far as Peace River, Grande Cache and we have a bunch of people in Peace River who have heard about this and want to be involved and they are going to do the walk at the same time,” Bartsch explained.

“Even though Fort St. John is not in our region, we do have people that come for those services, so there is a group that is in Fort. St John that is going to do the walk virtually, and they are still going on our site, and signing up as a team; they just are not walking here.”

Adults who raise $150 or more and youth who raise $75 or more will receive a Coldest Night of the Year toque.

Registration for Grande Prairie’s Coldest Night of the Year can be found here.

Photo Supplied: CNOY website