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Our Place hosts Coldest Night information session Friday

Fundraising walk supports organization that dishes up 1,200 meals a day
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Victoria’s first Coldest Night of the Year is on Feb. 24. (Photo courtesy Our Place Society)

Our Place Society hosts an information session Friday for the public to learn more about the second annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk. The information session starts at 4 p.m. in the Our Place Chapel, 919 Pandora Ave.

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Held in recognition of Canada’s National Walk for Homelessness, the inaugural walk last year raised nearly $40,000 for programs and services at Our Place. This winter’s walk is set for Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019.

Participating is as easy as gathering a team of friends or co-workers, registering online and joining other participants for a two, five or 10-kilometre walk. The majority of participants chose the scenic five-kilometre route last year, but all three routes will be available again this time around.

“You never know what the weather will be like, but warm or cold, rain, snow or clear skies, it’s heartwarming to be out there,” said Don Evans, Our Place executive director. “It’s about getting together with friends and family for some fresh air and exercise, joining our community and helping those less fortunate at the same time.”

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Visit cnoy.org/location/victoriapandora to register and find out more about gathering pledges.

The event also affords the public an opportunity to meet those the funds support.

“We try to get as many people indoors as possible on the coldest nights, but even when our shelters are full there are still people left outside,” Evans said. “This walk allows the community to make a human connection with some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

Our Place provides more than 1,200 meals per day, hot showers, education, job skills, free clothing, counselling and outreach services; plus 135 transitional housing units and 60 overnight shelter mats.



c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca

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