On the Coldest Night of the Year, friends, family and neighbours in Waterdown will walk together in solidarity with those whose lives too often go unseen.
Kitchener-based Blue Sea Philanthropy, a not-for-profit organization that supports other charities, is behind the event. The organization has been hosting Coldest Night of the Year walks across the country for some time, though this year will be the first for Waterdown.
The event, in support of Drummond House, will take place on Sat., Feb. 24, and will start at St. James United Church.
“They actually walk to represent the homeless, the hurting and the hungry,” said Amanda DeVries, director of development and children’s programs at Eagles Nest.
“It really fit in with our mission for Drummond House as we’re a transitional home for women and children,” she added.
According to the Coldest Night of the Year website, the fundraising event will take place in 120 communities across Canada. To take part, participants can register online to walk one of three different routes: 2 km, 5 km, or 10 km.
There is no fee to enter children aged 10 and under, while youth aged 11-17 are asked to raise $75. Adults are asked to raise $150.
“I guess for us, we really wanted to do something different that we haven’t done before but that involves the community more and so that they can actually participate in something we do instead of always just giving and in the usual way,” said Eagles Nest executive director Debra Tigchelaar.
“It’s just really great to have the families involved,” she added, noting that businesses in town have been active with the initiative, either offering a rest stop complete with hot chocolate or signing up as a team.
The point of the event that takes place on a cold winter’s night is to give participants a sense of what it might be like for people don’t have a home to go to and the challenges they may face.
Once walkers finish their route — all lead back to St. James — volunteers will be on hand to offer soup or chili to help walkers warm up.
According to DeVries, the Coldest Night of the Year walk is a great opportunity for children of all ages to get involved in social causes and create awareness and visibility.
“We’ll be walking right through Waterdown,” she said, noting all the walkers will be wearing official Coldest Night of the Year tuques to increase the chance of being noticed.
Tigchelaar said that the event will likely go until 8:30 p.m. For those who didn’t fundraise, but still want to be a part of the event, volunteers are needed for registration and working the soup line.
“It’s exciting to see the community’s support,” said DeVries.
“Whether it’s individuals or churches or businesses who’ve already come on to either volunteer, be part of the event or to walk and even just people donating and sponsoring different walkers, it’s been encouraging,” she added.
For her part, Tigchelaar said she finds the outpouring of support touching.
“It’s just an amazing opportunity for funds to be raised, to support the families that are in the home and that we will have in the home going forward where changed lives happen,” she said
“They’re able to come in and heal and spend some time there and come out of the cold in many different ways.”
To register, visit cnoy.org/waterdown.
On the Coldest Night of the Year, friends, family and neighbours in Waterdown will walk together in solidarity with those whose lives too often go unseen.
Kitchener-based Blue Sea Philanthropy, a not-for-profit organization that supports other charities, is behind the event. The organization has been hosting Coldest Night of the Year walks across the country for some time, though this year will be the first for Waterdown.
The event, in support of Drummond House, will take place on Sat., Feb. 24, and will start at St. James United Church.
“They actually walk to represent the homeless, the hurting and the hungry,” said Amanda DeVries, director of development and children’s programs at Eagles Nest.
“It really fit in with our mission for Drummond House as we’re a transitional home for women and children,” she added.
According to the Coldest Night of the Year website, the fundraising event will take place in 120 communities across Canada. To take part, participants can register online to walk one of three different routes: 2 km, 5 km, or 10 km.
There is no fee to enter children aged 10 and under, while youth aged 11-17 are asked to raise $75. Adults are asked to raise $150.
“I guess for us, we really wanted to do something different that we haven’t done before but that involves the community more and so that they can actually participate in something we do instead of always just giving and in the usual way,” said Eagles Nest executive director Debra Tigchelaar.
“It’s just really great to have the families involved,” she added, noting that businesses in town have been active with the initiative, either offering a rest stop complete with hot chocolate or signing up as a team.
The point of the event that takes place on a cold winter’s night is to give participants a sense of what it might be like for people don’t have a home to go to and the challenges they may face.
Once walkers finish their route — all lead back to St. James — volunteers will be on hand to offer soup or chili to help walkers warm up.
According to DeVries, the Coldest Night of the Year walk is a great opportunity for children of all ages to get involved in social causes and create awareness and visibility.
“We’ll be walking right through Waterdown,” she said, noting all the walkers will be wearing official Coldest Night of the Year tuques to increase the chance of being noticed.
Tigchelaar said that the event will likely go until 8:30 p.m. For those who didn’t fundraise, but still want to be a part of the event, volunteers are needed for registration and working the soup line.
“It’s exciting to see the community’s support,” said DeVries.
“Whether it’s individuals or churches or businesses who’ve already come on to either volunteer, be part of the event or to walk and even just people donating and sponsoring different walkers, it’s been encouraging,” she added.
For her part, Tigchelaar said she finds the outpouring of support touching.
“It’s just an amazing opportunity for funds to be raised, to support the families that are in the home and that we will have in the home going forward where changed lives happen,” she said
“They’re able to come in and heal and spend some time there and come out of the cold in many different ways.”
To register, visit cnoy.org/waterdown.
On the Coldest Night of the Year, friends, family and neighbours in Waterdown will walk together in solidarity with those whose lives too often go unseen.
Kitchener-based Blue Sea Philanthropy, a not-for-profit organization that supports other charities, is behind the event. The organization has been hosting Coldest Night of the Year walks across the country for some time, though this year will be the first for Waterdown.
The event, in support of Drummond House, will take place on Sat., Feb. 24, and will start at St. James United Church.
“They actually walk to represent the homeless, the hurting and the hungry,” said Amanda DeVries, director of development and children’s programs at Eagles Nest.
“It really fit in with our mission for Drummond House as we’re a transitional home for women and children,” she added.
According to the Coldest Night of the Year website, the fundraising event will take place in 120 communities across Canada. To take part, participants can register online to walk one of three different routes: 2 km, 5 km, or 10 km.
There is no fee to enter children aged 10 and under, while youth aged 11-17 are asked to raise $75. Adults are asked to raise $150.
“I guess for us, we really wanted to do something different that we haven’t done before but that involves the community more and so that they can actually participate in something we do instead of always just giving and in the usual way,” said Eagles Nest executive director Debra Tigchelaar.
“It’s just really great to have the families involved,” she added, noting that businesses in town have been active with the initiative, either offering a rest stop complete with hot chocolate or signing up as a team.
The point of the event that takes place on a cold winter’s night is to give participants a sense of what it might be like for people don’t have a home to go to and the challenges they may face.
Once walkers finish their route — all lead back to St. James — volunteers will be on hand to offer soup or chili to help walkers warm up.
According to DeVries, the Coldest Night of the Year walk is a great opportunity for children of all ages to get involved in social causes and create awareness and visibility.
“We’ll be walking right through Waterdown,” she said, noting all the walkers will be wearing official Coldest Night of the Year tuques to increase the chance of being noticed.
Tigchelaar said that the event will likely go until 8:30 p.m. For those who didn’t fundraise, but still want to be a part of the event, volunteers are needed for registration and working the soup line.
“It’s exciting to see the community’s support,” said DeVries.
“Whether it’s individuals or churches or businesses who’ve already come on to either volunteer, be part of the event or to walk and even just people donating and sponsoring different walkers, it’s been encouraging,” she added.
For her part, Tigchelaar said she finds the outpouring of support touching.
“It’s just an amazing opportunity for funds to be raised, to support the families that are in the home and that we will have in the home going forward where changed lives happen,” she said
“They’re able to come in and heal and spend some time there and come out of the cold in many different ways.”
To register, visit cnoy.org/waterdown.