‘Coldest Night’ walk raises $20,000

Scores of people, from children to seniors, braved the chill and drizzle on Feb. 25 to walk in support of Greater Victoria’s homeless people.

The walk, which started at Centennial United Church on Gorge Road, was one of 114 “Coldest Night of the Year” events across the country to raise awareness of the thousands of Canadians forced to sleep on the streets in winter.

Adult participants paid $25 to register, with proceeds going to the Mustard Seed’s drop-in centre, where hot meals feed up to 150 people a day.

The Friesen family of Saanich — parents Carey and Laura and children, Luc, 12, and Mollie, eight — took part as a way to “stand up for things we believe in,” Laura Friesen said.

After the walk, Luc said the experience may have changed his life.

“On the walk, I just imagined how horrible it would be to have no place to stay on a cold, rainy night,” he said. “You see things in a different light — instead of ignoring the homeless, you think it’s just people, they’re like us.”

The goal of the walk was to raise $30,000.

“We have may have a little more trickling in over the next few days, but as of [Feb. 25], the walk brought in $20,522.80,” said Lisa Warden of the Mustard Seed Street Church.

Homeless people are not just those who sleep in doorways, said Mustard Seed executive director Bruce Curtiss, but those who couch-surf and sleep in their cars, and become not just marginalized but invisible.

“It’s an absolute honour that we can get together and raise awareness and make a difference as a community,” Colin Watson, acting deputy chief of Victoria police, told the gathering.