Coldest night fundraiser warms hearts

KANATA – For the second-year running, volunteers, supporters and staff of the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) took to the streets Saturday, Feb. 28 evening for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraiser.

This year 29 teams representing 180 walkers, including roughly 26 from West Carleton, surpassed last year’s goal raising more than $50,000 to support people who are homeless, hungry and hurting.

The event was headquartered at the John G. Mlacak Community Centre on what turned out to be one of the warmest nights of this winter. When West Carleton Online arrived shortly after 4 p.m. enthusiastic participants were gathering in the second-floor hall for snacks and opening remarks.

“Every year we serve more than 10,000 people,” WOCRC executive director Leigh Couture said as she welcomed more than 200 attendees. “The asks of our team are greater than what we can respond to. That is why we are here asking for your help. The funds raised for CNOY go back in to our community. Last year they supported the delivery of more than 200 food hampers to seniors on a fixed income; a breast-feeding support program; dementia focused  opportunities our adult day program; and women fleeing domestic abuse.”

Just before the walk set out at 5 p.m., participants warmed up with a last-minute line-dance routine led by Couture’s daughter. Amongst those kicking up their heels, West Carleton Online recognized local politicians Kanata-Carleton MPP Karen McCrimmon and Kanata North Coun. Cathy Currie in the line-up. 

The walk lasted roughly 90 minutes as participants followed either a two or five-kilometre route in the Beaverbrook area of Kanata before circling back to the community centre for chili and cake. Warm drinks and snacks were also offered at the Kanata United Church at the half way mark of the five-kilometre route.

West Carleton was well represented this year with three teams. Tillie’s Troupers, winners of last year’s best dressed team and led by Woodlawn’s Tille Bastien, were decked out in red and white gear ready to defend their title. Unfortunately, they were beat out this year for ‘best dressed’ by a team dressed as bananas. A Dunrobin team, Planting Stablilty, was captained by Courtney Argue who wore the team motto, Rural Neighbours Rooted in Ward 5 on a sign board. There was also a squad from West Carleton Secondary School (WCSS).

“It’s a great way to raise funds and good for people’s mental health to get out (in winter) and join a function like this,” Argue said of pulling a team together.

The WOCRC partners with more than 170 local charitable agencies to bring their services and programs to a catchment area of greater than 1,000 square kilometres in far west Ottawa including West Carleton. They rely on funding from numerous sources including donations as well as 140 dedicated volunteers who contribute to the success of their programs.

“We had about 40 of our volunteers participate in CNOY and we would not be able to hold the event without them,” WOCRC communications and resource development coordinator Caitlin Reesor told us in an interview Mar. 9. “The event was amazing. It was such a fun intergenerational event. We were very grateful for the support of community members, generous sponsors and volunteers.”

Reesor says the monies raised at CNOY are used to address funding gaps.

“We bring in the money and split it up between different programs and they get to decide how they see those funds best supporting their programs and community members that access them,” she said.

A few days after CNOY, West Carleton Online met with WOCRC board member Jan Skora who also captained the top fundraising team Freezin’ for a Reason to chat about why he volunteers for the WOCRC and why he thinks seniors can play an important role in giving back to their community.

“The walk was great, everyone was in a good mood,” he said. “You could start up a conversation with anyone. When I got back to the community centre it felt so good to be in a crowd that came together for the same reason.”

Skora says a lot of his work on CNOY had to do with fundraising.

“Advocating for what you think is important is a bit of a lost skill,” he said. “But anyone can do it. I just tell people the story, homeless, hungry, hurting. I don’t have to get past those words, everybody recognizes them. And I have built up a lot of friends, work colleagues over the years and I go to them. Whenever I need something very few ever say no.”

Since retiring in 2021 Skora spends his time helping others.

“This is what I do for retirement, I volunteer,” he said. “Pretty much all day. I’m in my element more than any other time in my life. I mentioned this to a good friend of mine who I consulted with for about 15 years. I told her, maybe I should not have become an engineer, maybe I should have gone for social work.  She is a bright woman, and she said, you know, you were not ready.”

Skora encourages other seniors to give volunteering a try.

“I am finding now that I don’t hesitate about getting involved,” he said. “If something needs to be done, I try to do it. I think a lot of older adults become passive observers and it’s not good for them. They are not having any fun. I think there is a huge resource there we are missing in society. Volunteering makes the world go round. Once you get involved in something you enjoy it; you meet different people you would never meet. And you get involved in all kinds of crazy stuff.”

People do not know what they are missing Skora says.

“I had no idea I would be doing this,” he said. “I had no interest or inclination, but now that I am out in the community, I see a lot of opportunities to make things better. I have the energy. I’ve got the time. I am still alive. I say, why not give it a shot.”

For more information or to volunteer with the WOCRC visit www.wocrc.ca.

The WOCRC is in need of volunteers in their EarlyON program. Constance Bay and Carp are also in need of transportation drivers for medical appointments throughout West Carleton.