Canada-wide fundraising event
Coldest Night of the Year is a yearly fundraising walk held across Canada. Participants form teams and raise money for the charity that’s hosting, then join with other community members for a two- or five-kilometre walk. This was the second year Squamish Helping Hands Society has hosted the walk. Michelle Gonzalez-Ticas, a FortisBC community relations manager, attended both years along with other EGP Project team members.
The walk unites participants in a shared goal
“This fundraising walk is important for so many reasons,” Michelle explains. “It brings together people of all ages—families, children, seniors and even their furry friends—to support those experiencing homelessness. Squamish Helping Hands Society helps vulnerable community members. This walk is a powerful way for people to unite. It’s not just about raising money; it’s about building understanding, compassion and a sense of belonging for everyone.”
Event participants chose between a two or five kilometre pre-planned walk through Squamish. At the end of the walk, participants were provided with a hot meal—similar to the type of meal Helping Hands Society serves its clients every day. Michelle notes, “Holding the walk on a cold winter night is an opportunity for walkers to have a better understanding of the experience of being on the streets during a cold Canadian winter.”
About Squamish Helping Hands Society
Since 2006, Squamish Helping Hands Society has supported people in the community through programs and services related to health and wellbeing, shelter and transitional housing, food security and community outreach.
A typical year for the society includes:
- serving an average of 35,000 meals
- providing an average of 12,660 brown bag school lunches
- providing 3,000 shelter stays
- rescuing more than 312,000 pounds of food, which gets redistributed to community organizations, seniors and families who need it most
More than 300 community members joined in this year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk in support of Squamish Helping Hands Society. They raised over $90,000, surpassing last year’s fundraising total.
“It’s always an honour to join with other FortisBC team members in support of a good cause,” says Michelle. “We were so proud to be part of this event in support of Squamish Helping Hands Society. Holding this fundraiser in February, after the typical holiday giving season, helps to remind communities that homelessness and food insecurity is not a seasonal thing.”
Learn more about Squamish Helping Hands Society, the work they do in the Sea to Sky communities and how you can help.
