Barry Coulter
The Cranbrook United Church looks to help bring some awareness to a pressing issue this Saturday, with a public event to coincide with Canada's national walk for homelessness, "The Coldest Night of the Year."
The Coldest Night of the Year is a fantastically fun, family-friendly walking fundraiser that raises money for "the hungry, homeless and hurting" in more than 100 communities across Canada.
This year the walk is being held on Saturday, February 20.
"While the movement looks for donations — a good idea in as there is such a need —Cranbrook United just wants to raise awareness by gathering at the clock tower at 4 pm Saturday and walking down Baker Street to the church where some hospitality awaits," said Minister Frank Lewis.
"We are inviting other churches to join the wee march, as well as Streets Alive."
Lewis is encouraging participants to bring along some "icons" or symbols, like shopping carts used by the homeless, to "bring something different to the mix." There will be shopping carts filled with clothing, food and such to represent the basics we can provide. If you so choose, make up a care package that can be given out to any of our own "street angels" along the way or at Street Angels building.
The Cranbrook church is looking to make the walk an annual event supported by the United Church of Canada and connecting with local charities that help out such groups as Street Angels, the local operation that provides services for the homeless.
"This year is just a jump start but we have invited other churches and all our own members to participate," Lewis said. "Our local churches and charity groups already do a lot, but there are still many people in our area that don't realize how dire these groups need support from our community.
The march begins at the Clock Tower in downtown Cranbrook at 4 p.m., Saturday Feb. 20.