(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By James Dunn

Happening next week

Coldest Night of the Year raising important funds, awareness for The Mustard Seed

Feb 13, 2020 | 11:41 AM

The Mustard Seed’s biggest annual fundraiser is entering its fourth year.

The Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is a family-friendly walk and fundraiser where all money raised goes directly to The Mustard Seed and its programs.

Every Mustard Seed location in the country is taking part. The Red Deer location hopes to raise $22,000 and is currently about one-third of the way there.

Across Canada, The Seed hopes to raise $6,000,000.

Laura Unruh, organizer of the Red Deer event, says CNOY is about more than just raising funds.

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“It gives those who are participating more of an accurate reflection of what the most vulnerable in our city face on a day to day basis,” She explains.

“We all have the opportunity to come and do this walk in the night, when it is colder and it is dark; and then we get to go home to our warm houses and to our families. That is not a reality for our guests. It just allows us to experience first-hand, for a small amount of time, what it’s like to be someone experiencing homelessness or poverty.”

Families can enter in a two, five, or ten kilometer walk with a rest station in between where snacks will be served. A full meal that The Mustard Seed typically offers to its guests will be served at the finish line.

“We’ve had babies come, being pushed in strollers all the way up to people in their 80s. It’s just an opportunity for our community to come and see what we’ve got going down at The Mustard Seed and show support for the most vulnerable in Red Deer,” Unruh says.

“It’s been a lean year. We’re really hoping that Red Deer will come out and show their support like they always have in the past.”

The Mustard Seed continues to accept donations year-round, including clothing. The Coldest Night of the Year runs on saturday, February 22 starting at 53 Street and Gaetz Ave and ending at The Mustard Seed at 60 Street and Riverview Ave.

You can learn more information at cnoy.org and theseed.ca