Hundreds of people volunteer each year to brave a night of negative-degree weather in hopes of understanding what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes.
For 2023, a Tri-Cities branch of a Metro Vancouver non-profit is set to benefit from funds raised through the regional chapter of the annual Coldest Night of the Year.
CityReach Care Society serves thousands of of homeless and vulnerable people and families across the region.
This includes those that visit its Port Coquitlam location at 1932 Cameron Ave. adjacent to Broadway Pentecostal Church.
The 2023 free walking event will go through Vancouver's east end.
More than $102,000 of the local Coldest Night's $200,000 goal has already been raised, as of this publication (Feb. 20) with the largest single donation to date at almost $30,000.
The money is set to provide hot meals, food hampers and school-based programs to the local homeless population and families in need through CityReach.
Roughly 50 teams of 330 walkers have signed up for the cause, which consists of five- and two-kilometre routes.
Coldest Night of the Year 2023 is scheduled for Saturday (Feb. 25) from 4 to 7 p.m. and starts at 2650 Slocan St.
There's no minimum donation required for interested Tri-Cities residents to register.
Those that can't make to East Vancouver can sign up for a virtual walk.
For more information, you can visit the Coldest Night of the Year's website.
