Squamish will be hosting a Coldest Night of the Year Walk next month.
The annual walk, which has been happening across Canada since 2011, is intended to raise awareness and funds for those who experience housing insecurity.
Since the events began in Canada in 2011, over $96 million has been raised across 166 communities to go back to local charities helping tackle homelessness and insecurity.
In Squamish, the organization co-ordinating the walk is the Squamish Helping Hands Society, which works to end homelessness and hunger in the community.
“We’re hoping it becomes a legacy event for Squamish Helping Hands,” said executive director of Helping Hands, Lori Pyne.
As of Jan. 19, the local walk has 35 walkers signed up across 19 teams, with $7,555 raised of a goal of $50,000.
As the event draws nearer this time next month on Feb. 24, Pyne said that Helping Hands were hoping to spread the word further.
“We’re always looking for ways to engage the entire community. Quite often there aren’t volunteer opportunities for families here in Squamish Helping hands, and this is a way we can get everyone involved.”
For Squamish, homelessness in the community is rising according to annual data.
“The homeless count in 2022 was 103, and it went up to 118 in 2023,” said Pyne. The count of those living rough is conducted in April each year to get a snapshot of the local situation.
“It is a rising issue, and we’re noticing it is more prevalent for seniors and First Nations.”
The walk through downtown Squamish will begin at Junction Park on Feb. 24 between 5 and 8 p.m. It will be a five kilometre route with a two kilometre loop for those with younger children or who are unable to walk such a long distance. Walks across hundreds of other Canadian communities will take place on the same night.
“It’s to be in solidarity with people that are experiencing housing issues, and experiencing food insecurity,” said Pyne.
“I think Squamish is really ready for a community event like this.”
For more information on the Coldest Night of the Year walk in Squamish and how to donate or become involved, head to the website at cnoy.org, and locate the Squamish community walk.
All proceeds raised are kept in the community.
**Please note that this story has been corrected since it was first posted. The first version said this was the first such walk in Squamish, but that is wrong. There was a walk started in 2016.
