Participants raise over $110,000 for Caledon Community Services through Coldest Night of the Year walk

CNOY walk held February 22 in Caledon East

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon residents and businesses showed their generosity and community spirit at a recent fundraiser. 

On February 22, Caledon Community Services (CCS) hosted its annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraising walk. 

Charities across Canada that support those facing hurt, hunger and homelessness host CNOY walks each year. The walks are held in the heart of winter to remind people of the struggles people experiencing homelessness face during Canada's cold winters. 

For this year's walk, CCS set a fundraising goal of $100,000. As of February 24, residents and businesses had smashed past that goal and raised over $110,000. 

Geraldine Aguiar, CEO of CCS, addressed the over 200 walkers participating in this year's event with a welcome speech before they headed out.

“Tonight, we don't just walk, we are making a statement… we are raising awareness for those who need us the most,” said Aguiar. “What is our why? Our why is so that single mom of three won't have to choose between paying their rent on time and having enough food in the fridge. It's for that local senior who won't need to skip meals in order to afford heating. It's so that that child in your son or daughter's classroom will have a full lunch box to go to school on Monday.”

Aguiar shared that demand for CCS' food bank, The Exchange, continues to grow.

“People are coming to our food bank 35 per cent more than they were last year,” said Aguiar. “Tonight, we step out in a cold and we're sending a message. No one in Caledon should feel invisible, forgotten or alone. Every dollar raised, every step taken, brings warmth where there is cold, food where there is hunger, and hope where there is struggle.”

Mayor Annette Groves also addressed the crowd and commended everyone for their fundraising efforts. 

“What you're doing today is so special… you're making sure that families are not going hungry,” said Groves. “It is very important that we remember something when we leave here today: we go home and we have a warm bed and we can take a nice, warm shower. But many people, they don't have that luxury.”