More than 110 walkers from 18 teams took to Jordan Block Park in downtown Ottawa Saturday night to participate in the “Coldest Night of the Year” mile-long walk.

Through the Illinois Valley Public Action to Deliver Shelter non-profit organization, these walkers were just one of many groups across North America that participated to show their support for homeless populations.

“The idea of the ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ is that participants walk a mile in the cold so that they can better understand a little bit of what homeless people go through in the cold weather,” IV PADS team captain Susan Garner said. “Being outside and not having a home is something we and about 40,000 more people are hoping to address by walking tonight.”

Participants in Ottawa were treated to refreshments like hot cocoa, soup and chili, and entertainment like music and raffles to help create a wonderful environment for the cause.

“Everyone is just so helpful around here,” volunteer Crystal Geiger said. “I like being around people who like to do good and try to make a difference.”

Garner and the entire IV PADS team have raised over $25,000 through Saturday night’s walk, Ottawa’s third annual “Coldest Night of the Year”, to support homeless shelters in the Illinois Valley.

Across the nation, the event has helped to raise almost $2 million, according to the CNOY website.

In downtown Ottawa, participants started walking at 5 p.m. from Jordan’s Block Park northbound towards the canal. Once they reached the canal, they came back towards the park on Columbus Street

Executive Director of IV PADS Carol Alcorn addressed participants before the walk, saying, “How many of you would like to not have a home to go to tonight in this weather? That’s who we serve, and who we want to help. Those individuals who are not able to go home tonight.”

Through the participation, donations and support of these 18 teams, Executive Director Alcorn is hoping to fund IV PADS’ updated building when they move back in in the summer, with a hopeful move-in date in July.

“We are building the new building, so we are excited about that, but it is lots of space,” she said. “Operations and utilities like water, gas, electricity, and all those things are going to cost more. This money is going to help us meet those obligations.”

The new IV PADS building is still going to be located at 411 E Stevenson Rd.

IV PADS currently works out of the old YMCA in Ottawa on the 1100 block of Canal St. It made some renovations to the building to outfit it for a one-season stint before hopefully moving back to the original site this summer.

“We provide food, shelter, and services. We’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we serve three meals a day,” Garner said. “We work with a lot of different other agencies in the area to help people find housing or get whatever their needs may be taken care of while they’re there.”

Alcorn encourages people to get involved with the IV PADS mission.

“People can go to www.ivpads.com. They can donate, they can give materials and supplies, they can volunteer, they can cook a meal and bring food in,” she said. “There are a lot of different ways financially. We’re going to need finances. When you grow, you have to meet those new needs. We’re excited about that and excited about all of the help and support. It’s wonderful.”

IV PADS exists to provide shelter, food and services to those who are homeless in local communities to build a brighter future.

The 18 participating teams Saturday afternoon were Carus, Keep HOPE Alive, Open Table Church Walking Wonders, First United Methodist Church of Ottawa, Advantech Corporation, PEO Sisters-EH Chapter, Ottawa PADSicles, First National Bank of Ottawa, IV PADS Board, Aglow Collective, His Hands, LiliPADS and Tadpoles Peru, IV PADS General Team, Illinois Valley Community College, LPHS Interact, La Salle County Cruisers, Lily Pads Too Bullfrogs and Shepherd Middle School-SADD and Student Council.