The Revelstoke Women's Shelter Society is thrilled to put the more than $20,000 raised from its annual Coldest Night of the Year walk toward expanding its school outreach program, among various other free social services.
A total 76 walkers on 20 fundraising teams strolled the city streets Saturday evening, Feb. 22, in the society's fifth year locally running this international charity event, which aims at raising money for organizations that support the food and housing insecure.
Though Lynn Loeppky, the shelter society's executive director, joked that at only a few degrees below zero last weekend, "it was definitely not the coldest night of the year, but it was raining," she was grateful to see the event happen quite organically thanks to returning teams.
"It all seemed to go pretty seamless this year," said Loeppky, who hails from Saskatchewan and has heard of the event taking off in communities there as well.
Twenty-nine volunteers helped make this Coldest Night of the Year walk possible for Revelstoke which, as of Monday morning, Feb. 24, had raised $20,472. All proceeds support the shelter society's outreach program, to ensure its variety of all-ages supports remain free for the community's benefit.
These include self-referred counselling and art therapy sessions, for which three professionals are employed; the Moving Forward women's transition support program that includes yoga, legal services and soap-carving; Neighbourhood Kitchen rentals for community meals; pottery and garden workshops; and the Krafty Kids school program.
"This year we want to expand our school programming because the schools like having us come in and work with the vulnerable youth," Loeppky said. "It's usually like a lunchtime program and the kids are usually referred to us. We talk about activities for healthy relationships."
About 24 students from Arrow Heights Elementary and Columbia Park Elementary schools each have been referred to the program, with Columbia Park joining last year. Leoppky is now looking to involve Revelstoke Secondary School students. While there's lots of room for Krafty Kids to grow, the shelter society's transition house for women was often filled during the last fiscal year.
Loeppky said the five-bed facility has been over capacity a total 107 days since April 2024. Overall, she said the shelter society has seen a 33 per cent increase in people accessing services.
"I'm realizing there's a lack of men's services in town, so those services are for men too," she emphasized.
When asked which year of the event this was, Loeppky answered, "I remember it by how many toques we have." Those who raise $150 receive a cap to keep them cozy on the walk. This year, seven teams each raised more than $1,000.
"The great thing is all the money doesn't just come from Revelstoke," she said, explaining how the online fundraising format allows community members to reel in donations from friends and family out of town.
The shelter society continues welcoming Coldest Night of the Year donations until March 31.
To access counselling services, visit revelstokewomensshelter.ca/in-house-counsellor.
