Nick Kuhl
Lethbridge Herald
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Local organizers of Saturday's Coldest Night of the Year Walk estimate they made their $30,000 fundraising target.
They don't have a final tally because the day-of and online donations still need to be calculated, but the second annual event had 28 teams and nearly 150 walkers, including MP Jim Hillyer, participate in five- and 10-kilometre walk routes.
The money raised will go towards the Streets Alive Mission, a local non-profit organization serving people living with poverty in Lethbridge.
"We're very grateful. The community was very giving and very supportive," said Ken Kissick, Streets Alive co-director.
"It was a really good event. Everybody had a great time. The weather was kind of unique. Although it wasn't really cold, we had a little bit of snow and a little bit of everything else."
Nearly 40 communities across Canada held Coldest Night of the Year Walks on Saturday to support local charities, during a time of year when less donations come in.
Kissick said this year's goal was three times higher than the inaugural event in 2012 and that plans are already in place for 2014.
"We're looking forward to it being even bigger and better," he said.