Another successful Coldest Night of the Year walk is in the books.
Participants gathered at the former St. Agnes School on Croydon St. in Chatham on Saturday, February 25 for a five kilometre or two kilometre walk, followed by a chili dinner.
"We had 182 walkers registered for the walk, down a little bit from last year, but still, by no means unsuccessful. It was a great success," said Al Baker, Managing Director of NeighbourLink Chatham-Kent. "Our goal was $60,000 and to date, we have just over $72,000 almost $73,000, so 121 per cent."
Baker says all the money stays in the community and goes to the numerous programs run by NeighbourLink Chatham-Kent.
"Free transportation for people who can't get around, we also deliver food. We have friendly visits and phone buddies for people who are shut in. We offer a free course in personal or family budgeting, and anything else that people need we try to accommodate as well," he said.
For NeighbourLink Chatham-Kent, the Coldest Night of the Year walk is their biggest fundraiser of the year.
"We don't get any regular government funding at all, and we're funded by donations, so this is by far our biggest fundraiser, and we only do it once a year," said Baker. "So a lot is riding on it, and of course, every time it's successful, then we're happy."
Donations are still being accepted online at www.cnoy.org.
