Coldest Night tops $25,000
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/02/2021 (2040 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Sixty-six walkers made up of 14 teams raised $25,886 for Samaritan House Ministries on Saturday.
This year’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser shifted online for the first time ever due to COVID-19 restrictions, but proved successful nonetheless.
The amount raised exceeded their $25,000 goal, which was greater than the approximately $20,000 raised last year, executive director Barbara McNish said.
“The Lord puts it on our hearts to help and give,” she said, adding the collective Westman community has proven time and time again to be made up of the giving type.
Walkers didn’t necessarily head out Saturday, with many taking to the streets throughout the week at their leisure.
McNish suspects the recent cold snap, which plunged Westman into a deep freeze these past couple of weeks, helped inspire people to think more than usual about the less fortunate who don’t have a roof over their heads.
All money raised during the annual fundraiser goes toward the Safe and Warm Shelter — the organization’s emergency shelter in downtown Brandon.
Last year saw 277 clients spend a total of 4,219 bed nights on the shelter’s cots.
Most of this year’s proceeds are likely to go toward ongoing renovations to the space, which includes things like a new roof and an improved HVAC system.
Updates from the walk were posted to Samaritan House Ministries’ website and Facebook page throughout, including messages from Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson and Mayor Rick Chrest wishing participants well.
“The extreme cold temperatures we felt the last week or two really puts an exclamation point both on the need for this particular fundraising event and the good work of Samaritan’s Safe and Warm,” Chrest said, thanking everyone involved for participating in the annual effort.
» tclarke@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB