The Young Women’s Christian Association is joining the “Coldest Night of the Year” national fundraiser to raise awareness of homelessness in the area and to raise funds to help the YWCA’s Transitions Supportive Housing Program. Submitted photo

The Young Women’s Christian Association is preparing to host a major fundraiser to help those in need in the community.

Amanda Gesing, executive director, said the YWCA will be partnering with a national fundraising event this February to raise awareness of homelessness in the Jamestown area and to raise funds to help those in need.

“We are joining a national fundraiser Coldest Night of the Year on Feb. 25,” she said. “We are inviting the community to fundraise and walk a 2k or 5k with us through downtown and the Riverwalk to raise awareness of homelessness in our community and raise funds for our Transitions Supportive Housing Program.”

According to the YWCA’s website, the Transitions Supportive Housing Program provides “safe and affordable housing,” as well as “service-enriched” case management for homeless women and children or for women and children who are “at risk” of homelessness. The YWCA’s program provides opportunities for local residents to develop the necessary skills to become successful at independent living in the community.

The 2k and 5k fundraising event is described by the Jamestown YWCA as a “winterrific walk” that is hosted in over 20 cities throughout the United States to support people struggling with homelessness, hunger and hurt.

The YWCA’s goal is to raise $20,000 by Feb. 25.

To meet the YWCA’s fundraising goal, the event’s coordinators are looking for 20 team captains from the community who will each be willing to recruit seven or eight additional participants. The idea is to have each team raise $1,000. Additionally, the YWCA is encouraging individual walkers to register for the event and join the fundraising effort.

“If you would like to walk with us but don’t want to start a team, please join our general team called YWCA Strong Communities Team,” the YWCA’s advertisement stated.

Anyone ages 17 and under who raises $75 for the event and anyone 18 and over who raises $150 for the event will receive the YWCA’s “Coldest Night” winter beanie as an acknowledgement of the participant’s fundraising efforts for the community.

Registration for the event is open now and can be found online at cnoy.com/jamestown.

Both the 2k and 5k will start and end at the Jamestown YWCA, located at 401 N. Main St.

Check-in for the event will begin at 4 p.m., the walk will begin at 5 p.m. and a meal will be provided after the walk at 6 p.m.

Snacks, coffee and hot chocolate will be available at pit stops along the walk.

For questions or promotional materials, interested participants can contact Gesing at 716-488-2237 or agesing@ywcajamestown.com.