CCS holds record-breaking Coldest Night of the Year

March 5, 2026 · 0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon Community Services (CCS) hosted its annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) on Saturday, and this year’s event started with a bang.

For the very first time, CCS reached its goal before the walk even began.

Sitting at 102% of their goal, raising more than $100,000 prior to the event, Geraldine Aguiar, Chief Executive Officer at CCS, says it was an incredible experience.

“It’s record-breaking, and now we’re chasing after beating our last year’s record, and I know that the community will definitely step up,” says Aguiar. “This just means so much for our services. It means people are going to come to our door, and we’re going to be able to serve them. This is the community backing everything that we’re doing, and we’re over-the-moon grateful.”

Standing where the event was held at Caledon East Community Complex, Aguiar says the room was electric as more than 200 walkers suited up for the big day, complete with noise makers and CNOY toques.

“This is what drives our mission of creating a healthy and engaged community. That kind of work cannot be done by ourselves, and this is an example. This is a snapshot of what the community can do when we all lock arms and do things together. Those who are hungry, homeless, and hurting are going to have a place to turn to in Caledon, and that is just a wonderful thing,” she says.

Coldest Night of the Year is an annual fundraising event where participants walk 2 or 5 km in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

Over 35 teams took part this year, helping CCS not only reach but surpass their goal.

One of those teams was “Holy Family Saints,” which has raised almost $5,000 and has been participating in CNOY for six years.

“We are members of Holy Family Church in Bolton, and part of our service to the community is this,” says Ron Frank, Team Captain of Holy Family Saints. “There are six of us on the team.

If the six of us can continue that every year, I think that’s admirable.”

Lydia Rogers, one of the six on Holy Family Saints, adds that at Holy Family Church, they consistently support CCS in numerous ways, collecting a lot of food at their church.

“Our parishioners are awesome,” she adds.

Before walkers set off for the races, Aguiar and other speakers commenced the event with a few words.

Hitting their goal, Aguiar said, “this means hungry people in our community have a place to go to.”

“This means moms who are struggling have a place to go to for some safe space and support. This means children are not going to be going to school looking at the next lunchbox wondering why I don’t have an apple, an orange, a granola bar. This means someone in your cubicle next to you at work has one less worry on their mind because they know they’ve got a place to go to twice a month to get topped up on important, vital foods,” she added.

Acting Mayor Tony Rosa acknowledged the growing need in Caledon.

“More neighbours than ever are struggling and more are turning to Caledon Community Services for support, and it’s this type of activity that’s happening here today that really directly supports those individuals in our community,” he said. “Hunger, homelessness and poverty are real issues. I just retired after 33 years of service as a high school teacher, and my last 15 years I spent as a guidance counsellor in student services. I can tell you that this is a real issue.”

He added that the event was about standing in solidarity with those who face hardship every day.

“Every step taken tonight represents a commitment. No one should be left behind. No one.

Everyone deserves to have the necessities of life,” said Rosa. “Caledon’s strength is rooted in neighbours helping neighbours.”

Bill Parnaby, with the Bill Parnaby Team, has been a lead sponsor of CCS’s CNOY for years.

“If you look at the person beside you,” he said, addressing the room. “Everybody has challenges. So, why I’m so grateful is that you have continued by showing up to reinforce my own belief in the power and the will of people to do good.”

“This is a testament to how much we support each other, whether we do it every day or every week or every month, and I just want to say I’m incredibly grateful to be here in front of you guys and participating in such an event,” said Parnaby.

Fundraising for CNOY is far from over; donations and pledges to the CCS’s CNOY page can be made until the end of March.

“Let’s go and beat last year’s record!” says Aguiar.