Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society (RWSS) is hosting their largest annual fundraiser during the Coldest Night of the Year.
Coldest Night of the Year is an international event focused on providing fundraising for local organizations that support community members who are food and housing insecure. Many of those organizations also help other populations who overlap with those struggles.
“Women who come to us are facing that housing insecurity,” Lynn Loeppky, RWSS’ executive director told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “They’re fleeing their home, it’s not a safe place to return. Oftentimes they’ve given up everything, left everything behind.”
Fundraising collected during Coldest Night of the Year also helps RWSS provide resources and learning opportunities that can reduce the need for women and children to flee unsafe housing. RWSS’ extensive list of outreach programs in and around Revelstoke focus on providing accessible mental health services for community members, meal opportunities through Revelstoke Secondary School and physical health opportunities like yoga classes. Funds raised also help support the Forsythe House, RWSS’ emergency shelter for women and children escaping domestic abuse.
Through added food security, counselling services for the community and wellness activities, Loeppky explained RWSS hopes supporting community mental health curbs chances of abuse.
“Mentally healthy communities, less stress in the community helps curb abuse. It helps give space for folks to feel safe to talk about struggles. And that way we can help families stay healthy and safe.”
28 teams have signed up for the event, including Stoke FM and Revelstoke Skating Club to raise over $8,800 as of Feb. 20. Along with solo walker donations, RWSS currently sits at over $15,000 raised, over 75 per cent of their $20,000 goal. While team sign-up is closed, anyone can sign up as a solo walker up until Feb. 24 to help raise funds or even directly donate to a team or currently registered solo walker.
“Registration is open for solo walkers up until we start walking,” Loeppkys said. “If you show up the day of, and you still want to walk with a team, pick a team that’s already formed and ask if you can join them. I’m sure no one will say no.”
The walk will take place snow, rain or shine and Loeppky encouraged participants to dress for the weather.
“Last year it was storming, probably the worst night ever that year,” Loeppky said. “People were coming back looking like a snowman. They’re laughing and also saying, “I guess this is what this is about. There’s people out there on the street that bear this all night long. We were just out there for an hour. And look at us, we’re soaking.”
In previous years, walkers have been allowed to start as soon as they arrive, creating a staggered finishing time. This year, Loeppky hopes to have folks start at Revelstoke Community and Aquatic Centre at 4 p.m. for registration, opening remarks and a chance to mingle before all participants will head out at 5 p.m.
“We’ll be more visible, it’ll be nice to have everyone walk as a group this year.”
Coffee and snacks will be provided along the route and a light meal will be served at 6 p.m. once all participants return to the community centre. All ages are welcome to take part in the event, children 12 and under must have a guardian with them. Pets are not allowed at the event. Overall, Loeppky hopes the event provides space for the community to come together and a chance to break down some isolation.
“There’s definitely a loneliness and isolation component to all forms of abuse that we’re constantly trying to counter.”
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