Grateful and overwhelmed are the words that come to mind for Josh Walsh when he sees the needle still moving on the Coldest Night of the Year donation tally three days after the charity walk.
“We know the needs are great and the cost of living is increasing, and inflation is on the rise,” said Walsh, who heads up communications and development for Welland’s Open Arms Mission. “Just to see how people gave above and beyond the circumstances is overwhelming.”
Equally as gratitude-inspiring for Walsh is Niagara College’s role in the success of the event, held Saturday at the Welland campus, to raise money for Open Arms Mission’s work helping those experiencing hunger and homelessness.
The five-kilometre walk started and ended on campus, making this particular edition of Coldest Night of the Year the only in-person event in Niagara. Other communities hosted their walks virtually.
In total, 187 people registered, including 54 College staff, faculty, and students. About 150 of those laced up their boots on Saturday to walk as a group through the city.
The Welland Campus was the start and end point for the Coldest Night of the Year walk, allowing the Welland edition to be the only in-person version of the fundraiser in Niagara this year.
They raised more than $89,000 — and growing — for Open Arms Mission in the process, surpassing the original goal of $74,000.
Open Arms Mission is seeing a dramatic year-over-year increase in the people it helps, Walsh said. In December alone, the food and personal care bank served 815 people with 30 per cent of those under 18 years old.
That month, 47,000 pounds of food were donated to the mission but 60,000 pounds went out, underscoring the importance of fundraisers like Coldest Night of the Year to meet demand.
“It was just so nice to get together and share in and champion a cause, and see people going beyond themselves and being little miracles in their community,” Walsh said. “When we talk about Niagara College, it’s the words appreciation and grateful. (College team captain) Joe (Abbruscato) has been such a blessing, personally and professionally. We’re just so thankful.”
Abbruscato credited a team of organizers and helpers, including Facilities Management Services, for ensuring the event ran smoothly.
As captain of the second-largest team in Canada, which raised $7,855, Abbruscato said he was happy with how the College community came together for the cause.
“A lot of people just wanted to do something good for the community and this is a good thing to do,” he said. “When we say the Niagara College Knight Walkers, it’s legit. It’s the whole college.”
Abbruscato’s sights are already on next year and growing the number of Knight Walkers joining the effort.
“There’s a definite need out there,” he said. “If I can get people together and work toward a common goal, you can go home and feel good. That’s what it’s all about.”
