The Island Crisis Care Society's Coldest Night of the Year returns this Saturday, Feb. 22, with walks taking place in Nanaimo and Oceanside. (ICCS)

By Jordan Davidson

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NANAIMO — Fresh off back-to-back record-breaking fundraising years, Island Crisis Care Society is back this weekend for its biggest event of the year.

The Coldest Night of the Year takes place on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Nanaimo and Oceanside, with the past two events raising record amounts, with over $125,000 and $118,000 respectively last year.

Society executive director Violet Hayes said the Nanaimo walk will once again start at St. Andrews Church at 311 Fitzwilliam St. while the Oceanside walk will start at St. Stephen’s United Church at 150 Village Way in Qualicum Beach.

“It’s also just a great way to raise awareness as well, just to be out there on the street wearing the toques for people to see you and know that you’re trying to do something about an issue that seems so huge. People are out there trying to make a difference, it’s just a great feeling.”

The annual family-friendly winter walk of two or five kilometres in support of local charities is designed to simulate what it’s like to be on the streets during the colder months, with Environment Canada calling for rain all day Saturday with seasonal temperatures.

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Check-in times in Nanaimo are at 4 p.m., with the walk starting at 5:00 p.m., looping around the downtown through Maffeo Sutton Park before arriving back at St. Andrews around 6:00 p.m. where a light meal will be served.

Wesley St. in Nanaimo will be closed to traffic from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The Qualicum Beach walk features the same timelines, with rest stops planned along the way.

Hayes said they’re hoping to continue their record-breaking ways this year by surpassing the amount they raised last year in Nanaimo, with Oceanside already surpassing their $100,000 goal a few days before the event.

“We just encourage people to start a team or donate to someone that is walking. There’s many different options or volunteer and come out and help…we’re looking forward to being successful again this year.”

More information on how to join the walk, donate, or volunteer can be found here at the Society website.

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