Coldest night walk

Coldest Night of the Year walkers had a successful fund-raising weekend between weather and donations.

The annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk in Windsor, hosted by the Downtown Mission, took place on Feb. 22. The family friendly 2, 5 or 10 kilometre walk is an opportunity to raise money for charities serving hungry, homeless and hurting people in the community. The Downtown Mission registered 224 walkers, 36 teams and 63 volunteers and raised $58,710 which was 97 per cent of their goal.

The fundraising event started with registration opening at 4 p.m. The walk began at 5:15 p.m. after Rev. Ron Dunn, the CEO of Downtown Mission, gave an opening speech.

“This is to create a financial boost for us as a fundraiser, but it is also to create awareness of people who are experiencing homelessness,” said Dunn. “The money stays local which we are really happy about.”

There was a registration fee of $25 for youth and adults while children under the age of 10 were given a free pass. In order to earn a CNOY toque, a minimum of $75 raised was required from youth between the ages of 11 and 17 and $150 from adults 18 years and older.

According to Christina Yeboah, a volunteer at the event, participation is key.

“We had to get the kids involved, raising awareness that there are people in the community that are less fortunate than we are,” says Yeboah. “I am excited to go out there to encourage the walkers, it is very important that they are doing this.”

Walkers had rest stops at Tim Horton’s and McDonald’s along the way and warm meals were served between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the end of the walk.