by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 21, 2014 at 1:00 AM
There’s still time to help raise awareness about the homeless. The second annual Coldest Night of the Year walk takes place Saturday. “I am getting excited. I can’t believe it’s almost here,” said Lisa Anderson, Upper Room Mission fundraising director. “We have 29 teams signed up so far and that is awesome. My goal was 30.” The event hopes to raise $40,000 for a new heating system at the mission. Without a proper furnace, the mission is unable to serve 200 meals a day to residents in need or provide a warm setting for individuals wanting to escape the cold weather. Teams and individuals can register for the walk at coldestnightoftheyear.org. Each adult member of a team is encouraged to raise $150 or there is a $25 registration fee. Among those participating is Linda Price. “Working in the kitchen at the Upper Room Mission has given me the opportunity to know a lot of our guests on a personal level and I have chatted, prayed and shed tears with them,” she said. “The mission is the place where those in need come to warm up, have a coffee, a meal or just to have someone to talk to. This year alone, we have had more deaths due to related issues of the streets and drugs than the whole six years that I have been working there, and it’s all unnecessary.” Registration will start at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Upper Room Mission and the walk begins at 5 p.m. The half-way mark for the five-kilometre walk will be the Arbour at 43rd Avenue and 27th Street. Both the five and 10-kilometre walks will end at the mission, where there will be various activities and chili provided by the Vernon Lions. For more information, contact Lisa Anderson at 250-549-1231.
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You can contribute online at: Sponsor a walker:
http://coldestnightoftheyear.org/location/vernon
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