It may not literally have been the coldest night of the year, but the Coldest Night of the Year fun family fundraiser brought awareness towards homelessness in Kelowna.

Hosted by Metro Community, the Coldest Night of the Year raised $56,804 towards creating a day-time centre for the community, said Metro Community lead pastor Laurence East.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a national event that takes place in 40 to 50 different locations in Canada. We kinda just want to do it better than before,香蕉视频直播� he said, as Metro Community has hosted the event for the past two years.

Eleanor Garcia walked in the event for the first time.

香蕉视频直播淭he reason I decided to come out is to support what I feel is a really good organization. I香蕉视频直播檓 a really big fan of Metro Community. I think it香蕉视频直播檚 necessary for our city to have a presence on the street downtown. There香蕉视频直播檚 a lot of people that are in a difficult place in their lives that need a helping hand or a warm place to sleep,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Participants were handed toques and warmed up with Zumba before walking different routes to raise awareness towards homelessness.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 having fun, it香蕉视频直播檚 a family-friendly event,香蕉视频直播� said East.

Metro Community already has the building, on the corner of St. Paul Street and Coronation Avenue. The building will be renovated to have a coffee shop, a safe centre for women and a co-working space for social agencies, said East.

The routes had participants walk the downtown area, where homelessness is more noticeable. 香蕉视频直播淚t made sense to do the walk in the downtown,香蕉视频直播� said East.

More than 300 people participated in the walk which started at Sandhill Wines, Feb. 25.