It’s cold outside and there are people facing those frigid temperatures with no safe, warm place of their own. That’s why United Way Perth-Huron is reminding everyone across Perth-Huron there’s still time to register for Coldest Night of the Year, a family-friendly walk in support of local individuals experiencing homelessness, hunger and hurt.

In Exeter

The in-person walk on Saturday, February 26 begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Exeter Christian Reformed Church and follows a two or five kilometre route finishing back at the church. Participants raising $150 — $75 for youth under 18— receive Coldest Night toques. To register, visit cnoy.org. For news and updates, join the Exeter Coldest Night of the Year group on Facebook.

Funds raised help United Way provide funding for the South Huron Connection Centre in Exeter, offering basic needs such as light meals, a shower, washroom and laundry facilities along with support through partnerships with numerous agencies. Funds also go toward the Huron Homelessness Initiative, including the Huron supportive housing worker, shelter for women, children and youth and temporary emergency shelter (Heart to Home).

UWPH acknowledges the generosity of local event sponsors in supporting Coldest Night of the Year 2022. Sponsors include Scotiabank (Lead), Canadian Tire (Gold), Ideal Supply (Gold) and McDonald’s (Gold).

In Goderich

The in-person walk on Saturday, February 26 begins at 5 p.m. and features a two or five kilometre circuit around Courthouse Square. Participants raising $150 — $75 for youth under 18 — receive a CNOY toque. To register, visit cnoy.org. For news and updates, join the Goderich Coldest Night of the Year group on Facebook.

Funds raised go toward supporting the Huron Homelessness Initiative, including programs such as the Huron supportive housing worker, shelter for women, children and youth and temporary emergency shelter during the cold months (Heart to Home).

UWPH acknowledges the generosity of local event sponsors in supporting Coldest Night of the Year 2022. Sponsors include Scotiabank (Lead), Canadian Tire (Gold), Ideal Supply (Gold), McDonald’s (Gold), Town of Goderich (Gold), the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (Silver) and Libro Goderich (Bronze). In addition, until February 14 Boston Pizza is donating $1 from every purchase of their Mint Chocolate Cake and $2 from their digital or paper hearts to CNOY. On February 14, $1 from the purchase of every heart-shaped pizza goes to CNOY.

In North Perth

The in-person walk on Saturday, February 26 begins with 3:45 p.m. check-in at Listowel Chrysler with send-off for walkers at 4 p.m. The route follows a circuit from Listowel Chrysler to the Listowel Library and back. The Listowel Agricultural Society is donating bowls of chili to go for all walkers at the conclusion of the walk. Participants raising $150 — $75 for youth under 18 — receive a Coldest night toque. To register, visit cnoy.org. For news and updates, join the Coldest Night of the Year 2022 – North Perth group on Facebook.

Funds raised go toward United Way’s local work in support of the North Perth Connection Centre (Hope Links). Hope Links allows people to access multiple services in a supportive and welcoming environment, eat nutritious food and connect socially and emotionally. Coldest Night also supports counselling for youth at risk, counselling and supports for children who have witnessed domestic violence and shelter and programming for homeless youth.

United Way acknowledges the generosity of local event sponsors in supporting Coldest Night of the Year 2022. Sponsors include Scotiabank (Lead), Canadian Tire (Gold), Ideal Supply (Gold), Behrns Metal Fabrication (Silver), Gabel Electric Plumbing HVAC (Bronze) and Williams Drainage (Bronze).

In St. Marys

With a goal of $53,500, Coldest Night of the Year offers participants the chance to better understand the experience of being on the streets during winter while raising funds for those experiencing homelessness, hunger and hurt. Funds raised go toward United Way’s work in support of the St. Marys Community Developer & Support Worker and the Nourish Equal Access Food Market.

The in-person walk on Saturday, February 26 begins at the Pyramid Recreation Centre at 3 p.m. All participants raising $150 — $75 for youth under 18 — receive Coldest Night toques. To register, visit cnoy.org. For news and updates, join the St. Marys Coldest Night of the Year group on Facebook.

United Way acknowledges the generosity of local event sponsors in supporting Coldest Night of the Year 2022. Sponsors include Scotiabank (Lead), McDonald’s (Lead), Ideal Supply (Gold) and All Roads Chrysler Jeep (Silver).

In Stratford

The in-person walk on Saturday, February 26 begins with opening ceremonies at 4:45 p.m. at the Upper Queen’s Park bandshell and the walk starts at 5 p.m. Walkers can choose to complete one or two circuits of the designated route around the Avon River. All participants raising $150 — $75 for youth — receive Coldest Night toques while supplies last. To register, visit cnoy.org. For news and updates, join the Stratford Coldest Night of the Year group on Facebook.  

Funds raised go toward United Way’s local work in support of the Stratford Connection Centre at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in downtown Stratford; providing a safe place for vulnerable people including access to basic needs, social ties and connections with allies and supports. Since the connection centre’s opening in December, 29 people have used the centre, totalling 145 visits. Funds also allow Shelterlink to continue supporting youth experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness.

United Way acknowledges the generosity of local event sponsors in supporting Coldest Night of the Year 2022. Sponsors include Scotiabank (Lead), McDonald’s (Lead), Ideal Supply (Gold), Monteith Ritsma Phillips LLP (Silver), Barlow Smisek Dentistry (Bronze), Coventry Animal Hospital, & Mitchell Veterinary Services (Bronze), Home & Company Real Estate (Bronze), MNP (Bronze), Peter Maranger & Associates Inc. (Bronze) and Sinclair Pharmacy (Bronze).

In Wingham

The Northern Huron Connection Centre will be a welcoming place offering basic needs such as light meals, a shower, washroom facilities and laundry along with additional support through partnerships with numerous agencies. 

The in-person walk on Saturday, February 26, 2022 begins with registration at 3:30 and features a two or five kilometre option. The start/finish line for the route will be at the adjacent parking lots of Libro Credit Union and Maitland River Community Church. All participants raising $150 — $75 for youth under 18 — receive Coldest Night toques. To register, visit cnoy.org and search for Wingham. For news and updates, join the Wingham Coldest Night of the Year group on Facebook.

United Way acknowledges the generosity of local event sponsors in supporting Coldest Night of the Year 2022. Sponsors include Scotiabank (Lead), Ideal Supply (Gold) and McDonald’s (Gold).