People bundled up and hit the pavement Saturday night as part of the Coldest Night of the Year, a fundraising event for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadow's homeless, hungry, and hurting.

More than 100 people took part, according to Darrell Pilgrim, director of The Caring Place.

"It looks like we are going to bring in about $15,000," Pilgrim said about the fundraising efforts.

"We are extremely happy with that," he added.

One team in particular raised $3,700.

"We are pretty proud of our team," said Alyson Cliff-Fulton, who works at Ministry of Social Development with six of the nine team members.

"We do it out of a sense of camaraderie in our office and our community. It is a very good cause," she added.

The Maple Ridge walk began and ended at the Caring Place where a sea of yellow toques could be seen while walkers got ready to head out.

Along the way participants were able to stop at two places - either at the five-km point and turn back, or the 10-km and drink hot chocolate, said Amelia Norrie, spokesperson for the Caring Place.

"Starbucks donated the warm beverages at both stops along the route, which was outstanding. They had 15 volunteers out on the route," Norrie explained.

"Everybody had a great time. Everybody went back to the Caring Place after for warm drinks and chili," she said.

Walkers who took part in the Coldest Night of the Year got a glimpse into what surviving on the streets during a cold Canadian winter looks like.

This is the first year the Caring Place took part in the Coldest Night of the Year.

smclaren@mrtimes.com