Mustard Seed seeking walkers and volunteers for ‘Coldest Night of the Year’

“Walkers will be released at about 5:15 and they will return for a meal,” says Tilbury. “They will experience a meal that we typically serve our guests. Teams, walkers will be participating in 2K, 5K and 10K walks.”

Tilbury says the routes will be clearly marked with route marshals located at key intersections and route changes and roughly 50 volunteers positioned at places frequented by our guests.

“This is something different this year that we’re providing,” he admits. “They will be positioned at a place like the Buffalo Hotel, right outside the Buffalo Hotel on one of the walks to provide education to the public on the services that they provide and why are guests frequent or walk that route.”

“There will be one stop on the route specifically at Hope Mission,” explains Tilbury. “There will be hot chocolate, coffee, juice, snacks and we will be thanking our sponsors there. All the food has been donated, we’re not purchasing any food for this event.”

Tilbury anticipates between 150 – 200 walkers to take part in the event, one that nation-wide saw over 20,000 participate last year, raising $4.5 million in the process.

Locally, Tilbury says their goal was to raise $20,000 last year, with this year’s goal being $25,000. So far, he says they have 88 walkers and 21 teams registered and currently at 40 per cent of their fundraising target.

“We are raising money to help feed the most vulnerable citizens in Red Deer,” states Tilbury. “Last year we served 17 thousand hot meals in the year with the help of over 46 hundred volunteers, so monies raised will help to feed and will also help to provide advocacy which is so critical.”

“We care about the whole person here at the Seed, their physical, their mental and spiritual state,” continues Tilbury. “We recognize that the root causes of poverty and homelessness are complex and diverse, so it’s important that we provide the assistance to individuals to get them off the street.”

“If that means employment, we will help them with that,” adds Tilbury. “If it means they need assistance with their mental health, if they need a doctor, if they need to fill out government forms and things like that, we do that” he says.

The money raised will also help the Mustard Seed in Red Deer serve lunches to school children says Tilbury.

“Last year we served just under 52,000 lunches to 32 different Red Deer schools,” reveals Tilbury. “Right now, 380 to 385 children receive lunches every single day, Monday to Friday, whenever the schools are open.”

Tilbury hopes participants of the walk will take a way a better understanding of our community’s most vulnerable and the challenges they face.

“They would just like someone to listen to their story and encourage them and engage with them,” explains Tilbury. “Many people treat the Mustard Seed as a place of refuge or a safe place to go. For many, it’s their home for a period of time until they do get off the street, so awareness is critical.”

You can register to walk in or volunteer with the ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ and see route maps by visiting cnoy.org/reddeer.

by Sheldon Spackman

Mustard Seed seeking walkers and volunteers for ‘Coldest Night of the Year’

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