Ready for Home annual fundraiser begins preparations.

Nelson CARES Society will host the 12th annual Coldest Night of the Year walk on Saturday, Feb. 28 to raise funds that stay local and support the Ready for Home program at Ward Street Place.

The Nelson CARES Society is preparing for the 12th annual Coldest Night of the Year walk on Saturday, Feb. 28. Organizers say the event brings participants out into the cold and dark to raise money for neighbours. Funds raised will stay local and support the Ready for Home program, which operates out of Ward Street Place. Planning and volunteer coordination are underway even though the coldest night of the year is still to come. Key details: - Event: 12th annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk on Saturday, Feb. 28, hosted by Nelson CARES Society. - Purpose: funds raised stay local and support the Ready for Home program at Ward Street Place. - Participants: walkers reach out to friends, family and colleagues for donations in support of their efforts, organizers said. - Volunteers: a range of roles are needed, including setup, registration, route signage, route marshalling, food serving, clean-up, and teardown. - Schedule note: some volunteer roles are available the day before the event so people can still walk with a team. - Community view: longtime volunteer Lynzee Bewcyk said the walk brings the community together in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness, hardship, and isolation. Summary: The fundraiser will channel local donations to support Ready for Home services that operate out of Ward Street Place. The Coldest Night of the Year walk is scheduled for Feb. 28 and organizers are continuing planning and coordinating volunteers.