Coldest Night of the Year supports unhoused in Prince George

Elda Egan lost her son, who struggled with mental health issues throughout his entire life, to fentanyl poisoning in September 2022.

Elda’s beloved son Luke was on the autism spectrum and mentally ill and because it was a challenge to stabilize his medications there were many unpredictable outbursts. Due to his violent behaviour towards himself and others, Luke was often homeless, sometimes for months at a time.

Egan champions the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk, in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness that she brought to Prince George in 2017.

The event is in support of all sons and daughters experiencing homelessness as she knows all too well the heartbreak that comes with those circumstances.

Proceeds of the Prince George fundraising efforts will go to the Association Advocating for Women and Community (AWAC).

The event that goes on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. will start and end at St. Giles Church, 1600 Edmonton St. Right now, there are 86 walkers and 22 teams with 14 volunteers, including Egan, helping to put it all together.

Elda said she continues to fundraise for Coldest Night of the Year because she wants to raise awareness for people living on the street.

“We need to see people as people because it’s very easy to refer to ‘those people’ and when people make comments like ‘if those people would just pull themselves together…’,” Elda said. “We just need to remember that sometimes it’s not that easy to pull ourselves together.”

Elda said there were times when Luke was doing well.

“And now my hope is to see more people doing well,” she said. “And to me housing is the first step.”

And that’s why proceeds of the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser will go to AWAC housing programs that meet people where they are at in their mental health and addictions issues. AWAC offers no barrier housing at Olive’s Branch, low barrier transitional housing, supported housing and emergency shelters for those escaping violence.

AWAC's Extreme Weather Response (EWR) team will also be supported by the fundraiser that sees workers go out into the streets every night to hand out hot chocolate and treats and do wellness checks downtown and to other parts of the city, Kayla Derkatch, AWAC assistant manager community services, said.

“AWAC is doing amazing work and they literally are saving lives,” Elda said. “So anything people can do to support the fundraiser – donate or walk or volunteer, would be appreciated. Think of it like helping your neighbours. I live in Millar Addition so people living in Moccasin Flats are my neighbours.”

Kayla said although the fundraising cause is a serious issue the event itself is quite joyful.

“The day of the event is really fun,” Kayla said. There’s food and hot drinks and people can bring their families and friends to walk together.

For more information about the Prince George Coldest Night of the Year Walk visit https://cnoy.org/location/princegeorge.