Organizers and volunteers were all smiles as the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, in support of the Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society, brought in greatly-needed funds to help keep the doors open at the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter.

With homelessness in Lloydminster on the rise, the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser couldn’t have come at a better time.

That was the message from the walk’s organizer, Valerie Lazicki, as Border City residents gathered at Bud Miller All Seasons Park on Saturday night to face the cold and raise funds for the Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society, which operates the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter.

“We’re seeing greater numbers this year than we’ve seen in the past, summer and winter,” said Lazicki.

“I’ve been with the organization for five years and I’m not sure what’s happening, but homelessness is increasing in Lloydminster; it’s astonishing to me. I don’t know whether people are losing their stability or whether they’re coming from other communities because the shelters in other communities are overwhelmed.”

This year’s walk featured seven teams with

35 walkers and raised just under $16K.

Lazicki explained the goal of the annual walk, which first took place in 2016, is not only to gain financial support, but it’s also “a stark recognition of what life is like for people who aren’t housed or aren’t accessing meals regularly.”

“The great thing about this event is everyone comes back year after year, so it’s like welcoming old friends,” she said.

“It’s really a fun event, and if you’ve never been, give it a shot next year. It’s not a sombre event … we’re laughing, joking, having a great time, and reconnecting with people year after year.”

A recent project for the society is its new warming centre, located in the old Guardian Heating and Plumbing building north of the tracks on Highway 17.

Lazicki explained the purpose of the warming centre is to provide shelter and food for those who can’t go to the men’s shelter.

“We have a lot of homeless women this the MOST out of your advertising dollars Squeeze year, more than we’ve ever seen, and they’re coming to Lloyd for support, and we’re it,” she said.

“If we didn’t have the warming centre, we’d have them in our lobby, but we welcome them because they need somewhere warm as well. Our warming station just gives them a little more space to stretch out and it’s for men, women, couples, anyone in need.”

The warming centre is open to the public but isn’t currently running as a 24-hour facility as Lazicki explained staffing issues need to

“For me, this event is really special because something like shelter work, or the kind of work that’s important to a community, it can sometimes be hard to talk about, or people don’t want to talk about it, so events like this are important so people can see the support … and that recharges my batteries a bit,” he said.

“Every dollar counts, but I’m just charged up to see people walking in the same toques. Every person walking is important and every volunteer is important.” standing of homelessness and what it means to be cold.” Advertise Province-wide with a combined circulation over 750,000 for only... $995 plus GST/HST Value Ad Network Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x225 email classifieds@awna.com or visit your community newspaper

Board member Phyllis Tomkins, who has been with the society since its inception in 1998, explained the continued community support is greatly appreciated.

“I think it’s one of our best fundraisers and the point of people being out in the cold really hits home during this event,” said Tomkins.