The Squamish Rotary Club, together with Interact Students from Howe Sound Secondary, raise a record sum for the Squamish Helping Hands Society.
By Kyla Paine
President, Rotary Club of Squamish
Owner, Raincloud Noise and Vibration Inc
Squamish, B.C. - Mar 1, 2025
Squamish Rotarians at Coldest Night of the Year 2025 and Tony Adamson Second from the Left
Rotarians, led by their team captains Glen McEachran, Henry Marsden, Victoria Jolley, and Barbara Gloor (of Avesta/Re/ Max Masters), and Interact Students from Howe Sound Secondary, under the guidance of teacher Heather Lafreniere, took to the rainy streets of downtown Squamish on Saturday February 22 to raise money for the Squamish Helping Hands Society and our most vulnerable community members.
Coldest Night of the Year and SHHS is one of local Rotary’s passion projects.
Members of the Rotary Club of Squamish embody the guiding principle of service above self. We continuously look for ways to improve the quality of life for the people of Squamish and to serve the public interest, and what better way than supporting housing, shelter, medical access and treatment, as well as food for those in need.
34 members danced through the downpour, keeping spirits up and adding sparkle to the event.
Squamish Rotary has supported Coldest Night of the Year for two consecutive years. Rotarian Henry Marsden is instrumental in organizing the event, developing the course, organising volunteers, including martials, and raising funds. He matches donations to his team. Glen McEachran, a Squamish Rotary veteran of 26 years, promotes the event in the community and at the club level. In addition to this annual event, both work with SHHS and Under One Roof weekly, filling hampers that are delivered by the club and SHHS every Friday. “Hampsters” include 18 club members and friends of the club who take turns bringing food and necessities to individuals in need. For more information on this program, contact foodsecurity@shhs.ca.
Congratulations to the many organizations and individuals who supported this year's event. To date, we have collectively raised $93,473, 74% of our $125,000 goal. This is an improvement over 2024 totals, when Rotary Teams raised $18,000 out of the $85,000 total raised. We also directly donated an additional $5000 to SHHS. Donations to the cause can be made until the end of March.
The success of this year's Coldest Night emphasizes Squamish’s unwavering spirit of generosity. With over $25,000 raised, the Rotary Club, alongside Howe Sound Secondary's Interact students, has made a palpable difference in the lives of our most vulnerable residents. Join us next year at our disco tent, organized by Victoria Jolley of Avesta Strata and Property Management Inc., and help support the Squamish Helping Hands Society. Our community can accomplish great things when we come together. We encourage all residents to continue championing these essential initiatives. Join us in building a stronger, more compassionate Squamish.
If you are interested in Rotary, contact us at rotarysquamish@gmail.com.
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