CNOY is a winterrific, family-friendly walk to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Team up, fundraise, and walk because… it’s cold out there.
Exeter
Goal for 2026: $65,000
Total so far: $51,920
View updates on United Way’s Exeter Coldest Night of the Year Facebook page.
United Way Perth-Huron’s Southern Huron and Area Community Committee invites you to walk with them to end chronic homelessness.
Walk in support of the Southern Huron Connection Centre in Exeter; that offers basic needs such as light meals, a shower, washroom facilities and laundry along with support through partnerships with numerous agencies.
Walk in support of the Huron Homelessness Initiative in Exeter; including shelter for women, children and youth, stability and service connection work, and transitional housing.
Homelessness isn’t just about sleeping on the streets. A person may be in a temporary shelter, incarcerated without a place to go afterwards or “couch surfing”.
Join us on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 for the Coldest night of the Year fundraising walk and you too can play a vital role in support those most in need right here in our community.
Top 5 Fundraising Teams:
- Grand Bend Winter Walkers (Brian Hall, Captain)
- The New Testaments (Rachel Kaumanns, Captain)
- TR-E Huggers (Judith & Rick Parker, Captains)
- LMR Walkers (Cheryl Masson, Captain)
- South Huron District High School (Evelyn Den Otter, Captain)
Top 5 Fundraising Individuals:
- Cheryl Masson (LMR Walkers)
- Brian Hall (Grand Bend Winter Walkers)
- Audrey Boersma (The New Testaments)
- John & Barb Smits (Grand Bend Winter Walkers)
- Marique Crossen (The New Testaments)
Thank you to our sponsors:
- Gold: Hay Communications, Ideal Supply
- Silver: Axiom Mutual Insurance, Bayley Group Inc., Forever Furniture, White Squirrel Cares Foundation
- Bronze: Canadian Tire Exeter, Haskett Funeral Homes, Haugh Tire Craft Exeter, Huron Motor Products (HMP), McDonald’s Exeter, McDonald’s Grand Bend, Sobey’s Grand Bend
- In-kind: Dairy Queen Exeter, Dollar Tree Exeter, Exeter Christian Reformed Church, Smoky Hollow, Uptown Sweets
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Denise Rolleman
Goderich
Goal for 2026: $150,000
Total so far: $155,697
For updates, photos and video follow United Way’s Goderich Coldest Night of the Year Facebook page.
United Way Perth-Huron’s Goderich and Area Community Committee invites you to walk and fundraise with us through the Coldest Night of the Year and help local individuals experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger in Goderich and the surrounding area.
Walk to support the Huron Homelessness Initiative including shelter for women and children escaping violence, shelter supports for youth, the Bridge Housing and Stability program, and transitional housing.
Homelessness isn’t just about sleeping on the streets. It affects almost every aspect of life including family well-being, employment and physical and mental health. Eighty per cent of homelessness is hidden or unreported.
On Saturday, February 28th, 2026, you can make a difference and support those in need by participating in the Coldest Night of the Year.
Top 5 Fundraising Teams:
- Bernie’s Bunch (Bernice Glenn, Captain)
- Trinity Trekkers (Holly Dalton, Captain)
- OH MY GODERICH (Trevor Bazinet, Captain)
- Seaforth Community Group (Dave de Vries, Captain)
- Goderich Community Hats & Mats (Tracy Maguire, Captain)
Top 5 Fundraising Individuals:
- Bernice Glenn (Bernie’s Bunch)
- Randy Carroll (OH MY GODERICH)
- Cheryl Dunn (Bernie’s Bunch)
- Harold Peet (Every Little Bit…)
- Dianne Wood (Seaforth Community Group)
Thank you to our sponsors:
- Presenting: Jayden’s Mechanical
- Lead: Bruce Power
- Gold: Capital Power, Compass Minerals, Ideal Supply
- Silver: Cowbell Brewing Co., Excalibur Insurance, White Squirrel Cares Foundation
- Bronze: Canadian Tire Goderich, McDonald’s Goderich, West Wawanosh Mutual Insurance Company
- In-Kind: Bartliff’s Restaurant Clinton, Goderich Legion Branch 109, Goderich Print Shop, Reflections Photography by Natasha, Steve and Mary’s On The Square, Tim Horton’s Seaforth, Zehrs Goderich
Seaforth Walk
- Saturday, February 28
- 10:30 a.m.
- Start and finish at Bethel Bible Church
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Michelle Millar.
North Perth
Goal for 2026: $58,500
Total so far: $48,770
Join United Way’s North Perth Coldest Night of the Year Facebook page.
United Way Perth-Huron’s North Perth Community Committee invites you to fundraise and walk with us in the Coldest Night of the Year to raise vital support for local individuals experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness.
Walk for those facing sudden financial challenges and help keep them housed through United Way’s Urgent Needs Fund, providing financial support for local people when they need it most.
Walk to support mental health counselling for families and individuals, early intervention counselling for North Perth youth, and counselling for children who have witnessed domestic violence.
Walk to support the long-term goal of more housing in North Perth through United Housing.
Together, we can help people in our community become and stay housed, today and in the future.
Top 5 Fundraising Teams:
- North Perth Community Committee (Lee Anne Andriessen, Captain)
- Jube Station (Joyce Klumpenhouwer, Captain)
- Ward & Uptigrove (Carrie Henhoeffer, Captain)
- United North Perth (Jodi Town, Captain)
- LMC Peace Walkers (Dorothy Tymchyshyn, Captain)
Top 5 Fundraising Individuals:
- Tom Soltys (North Perth Community Committee)
- Stacey Romat (EFS Plastics)
- Jodi Town (United North Perth)
- Brad Bakker (Ward & Uptigrove)
- Shannon Titherington (Skyline_Listowel)
Thank you to our sponsors:
- Gold: Erie Meats, Ideal Supply
- Silver: Behrns Metal Fabricating, Gabel Electric, Ravelle Auto Group, Silo Plumbing, Trillium Mutual Insurance, Ward & Uptigrove, Watson’s Home Hardware
- Bronze: Josslin Insurance, McDonald’s Listowel, Mornington Communications, New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Wendy’s Listowel, Williams Drainage
- Media Sponsor: Clovermill Media
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Todd Kasenberg.
St. Marys
Goal for 2025: $56,000
Total so far: $54,520
Follow United Way’s St. Marys Coldest Night of the Year Facebook page for updates.
United Way Perth-Huron’s St. Marys Community Committee invites you to walk and fundraise with us on February 28th, 2026 in the Coldest Night of the Year to raise vital support for individuals experiencing homelessness, hunger, and hurt within the St. Marys community.
Funds raised through CNOY will support two important programs:
1) Walk to support the The St. Marys Community Outreach Worker who offers facilitation, education, and referrals for residents needing support including life skills, mental health, homelessness, and addictions, along with providing short-term support and help connecting community members to important services, and delivering community education and outreach, including neighbourhood mediation.
2) Walk to support the Nourish Equal Access Market; offering fresh, nutritious, locally sourced produce and meats to residents facing food insecurity. Nourish happens the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at the United Church and is open to anyone.
Top 5 Fundraising Teams:
- Better Together St. Marys (Julie Docker Johnson, Captain)
- Team Ryan (Lucas Ryan, Captain)
- Icicle Picklers (Pamela Zabel, Captain)
- T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More (Marco D’Angelo, Captain)
- Team Timeless Vitality (Heather Parkinson, Captain)
Top 5 Fundraising Individuals:
- Lucas Ryan (Team Ryan)
- Marco D’Angelo (T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More)
- Pamela Zabel (Icicle Picklers)
- Julie Docker Johnson (Better Together St. Marys)
- Gwen Bradley (Team Bradley-Russell)
Thank you to our sponsors
- Lead: McDonald’s St. Marys
- Gold: Ideal Supply
- Silver: St. Marys Dentistry, St. Marys Optometry
- Bronze: Easy Lift Doors, Meridian, Peak Select Realty, St. Marys Insurance
- In-kind: Riverwalk Commons, Spring Farm Kitchen, Sunset Diner
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Chris Schroer.
Stratford
Goal for 2026: $200,000
Total so far: $228,666
For updates, pictures and video join UWPH’s Stratford Coldest Night of the Year Facebook page.
You’re invited to join us for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk in support of local individuals experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger in the Stratford and area community.
Walk to support the United Way Stratford Connection Centre operated by CMHA Huron-Perth, a place for those experiencing homelessness—or those at risk of becoming homeless—to go to connect with services, shower, do laundry and have a meal. Learn more
Shelterlink Youth Services‘ mission is to support youth experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, through prevention, advocacy, shelter, and community connection services.
They have 15 short-term emergency beds, but our services extend far beyond simply providing shelter for youth. They focus on prevention and diversion strategies to assist at-risk individuals before they even enter their facility. Additionally, they offer ongoing support to youth after they leave the shelter, ensuring they have the resources and guidance they need to thrive.
Join us on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 for the Coldest Night of the Year and fundraise to help support Shelterlink Youth Services and the Stratford Connection Centre.
Top 5 Fundraising Teams:
- Monteith Ritsma Phillips Law Office (Kathryn Ritsma, Captain)
- Chill Chasers 2026! (John Wolfe, Captain)
- The Sweet Samuels (Jana Bayer-Smith, Captain)
- Team Haggis (Marilyn Holmes, Captain)
- Stratford Anglicans (Wade Phibbs, Captain)
Top 5 Fundraising Individuals:
- Martin Ritsma (Monteith Ritsma Phillips Law Office)
- Jana Bayer-Smith (The Sweet Samuels)
- Bill Henderson (Chill Chasers 2026!)
- Jeff Laustsen (Shelterlink Sprouts – Board and Staff)
- Joanna Gordon (Team Haggis)
Thank you to our sponsors:
- Lead: McDonald’s Stratford
- Gold: Ideal Supply, Mark’s, Stratford Orthodontics
- Silver: Cleaver Brooks, Sinclair Pharmacy, Tri-Tech Pinnacle Group
- Bronze: Black Creek Physiotherapy, Blowes Stationery, Core Fuels/Red Cap Propane, Coventry & Mitchell Veterinary Services, GOTECH, Home & Company Real Estate, Malt Staging and Design, McDonald’s Mitchell, Peter Maranger & Associates Inc., Robert Ritz Architect Inc., Romeo Optometry, Westlandyn Farms, YNCU
- Ad Sponsor: Monteith Ritsma Phillips LLP
- In-Kind: Chris’s BBQ & Country Style Catering, Soup Surreal
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Sonya Heyen.
Wingham
Goal for 2026: $40,000
Total so far: $23,075
Join United Way’s Wingham Coldest Night of the Year Facebook page.
United Way Perth-Huron’s Northern Huron and Area Community Committee invites you to walk with them to end chronic homelessness.
Walk in support of the Northern Huron Connection Centre; a welcoming place offering basic needs such as light meals, a shower, washroom facilities and laundry along with support through partnerships with numerous agencies.
Homelessness isn’t just about sleeping on the streets. A person may be in a temporary shelter, incarcerated without a place to go afterwards or “couch surfing”. It affects almost every aspect of life including family well-being, employment and physical and mental health.
Top 5 Fundraising Teams:
- The Wingham Walkers (Gary Lisle, Captain)
- Lucknow Community Church Team (Dionne Smith, Captain)
- Sacred Heart Wingham CWL Team (Marg Sande, Captain)
- Blyth Lions (Karin Archer, Captain)
- Libro Wingham Polar Pacers (Jordan Nairn, Captain)
Top 5 Fundraising Individuals:
- Gary Lisle (The Wingham Walkers)
- Dionne Smith (Lucknow Community Church Team)
- Brittany Cartwright (The Haven)
- Kathy Gibson (The Wingham Walkers)
- Marg Sande (Sacred Heart Wingham CWL Team)
Thank you to our sponsors:
- Gold: Ideal Supply
- Bronze: Corteva Agriscience, Howick Mutual Insurance Company, Leslie Motors, Libro Credit Union, McDonald’s Wingham
Blyth Walk
- Saturday, February 21
- Blyth United Church
- Registration at 9:30 a.m., walk starts at 10 a.m.
- Walk being coordinated by the Blyth Lions Club
- All funds support the Northern Huron Connection Centre
- Register HERE
Lucknow Walk
- Sunday, February 15
- Hosted by Lucknow and Area Churches
- Lucknow Presbyterian Church
- Walk from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
- Chili and Buns for walkers afterward at Lucknow Presbyterian
- All funds support the Northern Huron Connection Centre
- Donations can be made at the church
- Register to join the Lucknow Community Church Team, or donate, HERE
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Lisa Harper.
How become a Team CAPTAIN
Once you’ve registered, your team and name will show up on the scoreboard and on our location page too!
(Note: it takes 5–10 minutes to appear)
- Visit cnoy.org and click the big REGISTER button
- Create your new account (or sign in to your account from last year)
- Select the LOCATION where you’ll be walking and continue
- Click to accept the WAIVER and continue
- Under REGISTRATION TYPE, click CREATE A TEAM
- Name your team (and write a brief description)
- Accept or increase your fundraising goal (this can be edited later)
Once you’ve registered, your team will show up on the regional CHARITY PAGE.
You can begin recruiting team members and raising funds immediately!
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How to JOIN a TEAM
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- Visit cnoy.org and click the big REGISTER button
- Create your new account (or sign in to your account from last year)
- Select the LOCATION where you’ll be walking and continue
- Click to accept the WAIVER and continue
- Click JOIN A TEAM (or register individually if you wish and join a team later)
- Search for your TEAM by name or captain name
- Select that team from the list and proceed to complete registration
SPONSORS helping their communities through CNOY and United Way
Corporate sponsors of our community walks are an important part of CNOY! Want to be a part of this great local event? Talk to your local United Way representative about a sponsorship or call the United Way offices in Stratford at 1-877-818-8867 or 519-271-7730.