The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area is asking Cochrnaites to bundle up and walk to support the hurt, the hungry, and the homeless. 

The Coldest Night Of The Year (CNOY) is returning and Helping Hands executive director Laura McDonald says this is by far their biggest fundraiser and is a big hit in Cochrane. “Last year, we had 165 walkers and this year we're gunning for 200 walkers.”

“It’s a Canada-wide event every February where we ask people to come and walk with us to support the hurt the homeless and the hungry.”

The family-friendly event will occur on February 25, 2023, in Riverfront Park. Both teams and individual walkers will have the choice of participating in a full 5km length or a reduced path of only 2km.

The event also includes a ceremony before the walkers take off and snacks with warm fires in the park to return to. 

“It's a really pressure-free, family-friendly fundraiser. I think the average walker raises about $50. So it's not something to feel alarmed about or like you can't shoulder it.”

“We're starting to gear up now and we're just looking to get families, kids, grandparents, everybody out and we'll do a walk on a beautiful February day and raise some money.”

As a special thank you to participants who raise at least $150 (or $75 for kids), walkers receive a limited edition toque.

The money raised will go a long way in supporting Helping Hands, which supports Cochrane as the non-profit organization was able to clock in over 6,100 volunteer hours for the community in 2022. 

“We're really excited to have these public face-to-face events back on our radar.  I think generosity-wise, Cochrane is a community we can always count on.”

“This is our third year doing it and we're gunning for the same target of $40,000 which we've been able to raise the last two years in a row and I have really, really strong hopes, we'll do it again.”

Registration is now open for Cochranites to walk as a team or individual for the event on February 25, 2023.