The first Coldest Night of the Year walk to take place in Chatham-Kent has raised a little over $20,000.
Locals gathered at the former Pines Chapel at UCC (also known as "The Hub") Saturday evening to raise money for the homeless community.
Neighbourlink CK Network Coordinator Al Baker says although the exact tally hasn't come in, they're not too far from their goal of $25,000.
"We probably won't know for another week exactly how well we did," says Baker. "But we're hoping the numbers are up."
Most of the money raised will stay in the community and about 30% of proceeds will go to the Coldest Night of the Year charity.
Baker says they had 123 people participate in the walk and about 20 volunteers help out with the event -- many of which were teens.
"A lot of teenagers played a great part in volunteering for the different things," he says. "It was all over [the walk] in about an hour's time, and then everyone came back to the hub and had some chili."
Baker adds the walk will become an annual event in Chatham-Kent so locals can expect to see it again next year.
