JIM WEBSTER
Fresh snow and moderate temperatures made for perfect conditions at the fourth Kimberley Helping Hands Ugly Sweater 5K hosted by the Kootenay Orienteering Club and friends. Colourful sweaters were in abundance on participants, volunteers and even on the many dogs who all seemed proud to be on display. It shows that the local thrift stores must have seen a sweater rush this past week with so many scrambling to find the best outfit.
Each year the event attracts more participants with 112 participants, plus volunteers and dogs attending in 2023. $3875 was raised along with many bags of donated food. Thom Tarte, Food Bank manager was very pleased to have so many people visit the centre and was already tossing out ideas for a possible summer event.. probably not with sweaters.
For the fourth year freshly baked, decorated shortbread cookie sweaters were awarded to all finishers, continuing the tradition of sweater cookies for all.
As in the past local businesses stepped up with Save-On Foods donating their tent, gift baskets, snacks and all the brats and hot dogs for the finish, which was prepared by food Bank volunteers. Brian Conn, from Northstar Roasting Company was on-site brewing coffee for all those that needed to be perked up. The Symphony of the Kootenays donated two tickets to their February 25th concert featuring the music of Broadway. The concert with also include the Selkirk and Baker High School Choirs.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support this great community event.