The local Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser is already showing some impressive results.
Dennis Chippa, executive director of The Gathering Place, says early sign-up numbers are looking promising.
“It looks like our numbers are up from the last five years,” Chippa said. “It’s pretty exciting to have that kind of energy within the city.”
So far 20 teams consisting of 98 walkers have signed up, with just over $22,000 having already been raised.
The Coldest Night of the Year walk is a nationwide campaign aimed at raising awareness and money for homelessness and food insecurity.
Due to this year’s event being virtual, Chippa said he lowered the fundraising goal from the usual $45,000.
“We had aimed low and thought if we could get $35,000, we’ll be happy. But we’re really excited with the response the community has come up with,” he said.
As part of the virtual event, teams are urged to sign up as they normally would, but will perform the walk on their own route instead of congregating as a group.
Chippa said he feared interest in the event would drop off because there would be no group walk.
“We thought because people aren’t out and about, that people may not be into it,” he noted. “Because we’re telling people they can walk wherever they want, we’re getting a lot of groups who wouldn’t traditionally do the walk, doing it.”
Chippa says there are at least three brand new teams that have never participated in the walk before.
For those who choose not to walk, Chippa is encouraging the city to show solidarity for the event. At 8:30 pm on the night of the walk on February 20, Chippa is urging people to display a light of some sort in the front window of their home.
“It’s to represent the fact that we’re all aware of the those who are hungry, hurting and homeless,” he said.
To sign up or donate to the walk, click here.
