The Mustard Seed hosted their annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising and awareness walk on Feb. 22nd and this year, they were lucky to surpass their $22,000 fundraising goal. 

Dozens of people came out to support the Mustard Seed with their raised pledges, and to walk a kilometre or two along the same trails that many people experiencing homelessness in Red Deer walk every night. 

Fund Development Officer for the Red Deer Mustard Seed Scott Tilbury said they were very excited to see the community support for this year's event. 

"We are overjoyed, we were very pumped and excited that the community, with their compassionate generosity, have come out to support this event and help us exceed our goal of $22,000. We passed that last night (Friday) at about eight 'o clock. We were thrilled when we saw the number,"  he said during Saturday's event. 

This year, participants caught a bit of break with an unseasonably warm February evening. Tilbury said even though it wasn't necessarily the coldest night of the year, the awareness and support of the event still made an impact on those who took part. 

"Not only was our goal to raise money, but it was to build awareness. We want to educate and share with the community how they are helping build hope," Tilbury said. 

The final fundraising total comes in at $29,650. 

Participants took in either a 2km, 5km or 10km walk in an effort to get closer to the experience of someone who is homeless. It gives volunteers and fundraisers a chance to come together and enjoy each other's company while supporting awareness of the work the Mustard Seed does for vulnerable populations.  

Programs at TMS include warm meal services, as well as providing clients with clothing or hygiene products. They also offer a sober shelter that has room for 46 adults during the winter. 

Susan Armstrong volunteered with the walk for the first time this year and said she enjoyed seeing all the support for the Mustard Seed. " It's a great organization, and I've been volunteering with them for about two years now. They're so good to the community and we really need them," she said.