(Supplied)

By Alessia Proietti

Feb 26: The Mustard Seed

Walk for a cause on Coldest Night of the Year

Feb 9, 2022 | 10:43 AM

Who would’ve thought that the most beautiful time to take a walk outside would be on the coldest night of the year.

The Mustard Seed charity organization has been participating in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraiser since 2011 across Alberta. On Feb. 26, citizens will walk to raise money to help end poverty and homelessness.

“They walk a mile or two in the shoes of the most vulnerable,” said Scott Tillbury, Senior Fund Development Officer for the Mustard Seed in Red Deer.

For Red Deer, this is the second year the walk will be hosted virtually, meaning participants can choose any day to walk, up until Feb. 26, and a route of their choosing, ranging between two to five kilometers in distance. Participants can register as individuals or as a group and can send pictures to the Mustard Seed showcasing their journey.

“We had 266 walkers in Red Deer participate last year. We had walkers walk their most favorite routes in the mountains, some participated in a different province, we received a picture from Kananaskis with people standing in front of a frozen waterfall,” he said.

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While in past years Red Deer has raised between $35,000 – 40,000, according to Tillbury, the city raised a record breaking $90,000 in 2021. As a result, this year’s goal is to raise $100,000.

The funds will be put towards the Mustard Seed’s meal programs for men, women, and children, and for students enrolled in their school lunch program.

“Over 67,000 school lunches were prepared and served last year. Over 425 students received a healthy, nutritious school lunch from the Mustard Seed, Monday through Friday, in the communities of: Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail and surrounding areas,” said Tillbury.

Before the pandemic, the charity hosted an opening ceremony at their location (6002 54 Ave), giving a tour of their services, offering food and drinks from sponsors and live music entertainment before walking together.

“An in person event is about coming together and sharing stories and getting to meet one another, walking together. There is a uniqueness about that so we miss that,” he said.

To stay connected this year, the first 200 walkers to raise $500 will receive a 2022 CNOY branded black hooded sweatshirt. Adults who raise $150 or youths under 17 years old who raise $75 will receive a limited-edition CNOY toque, with this year’s design being yellow with a CNOY snowflake emblem on the front. Pick up times for hats along with some take-home snacks and drinks will be updated by the Mustard Seed.

“We look forward to when we can host it again but we’re thankful that people are taking the time to walk virtually. And it’s kind of cool; we look forward to receiving the pictures of the unique trails, their favorite trails, when they send it back to us. That’ll be one way we foster engagement,” said Tillbury.

Registration is free and on their website.

Since 2011, CNOY has raised $43,500,000 in 149 communities across Canada.