Volunteers, team leaders gather for launch of Coldest Night of the Year campaign

Fundraising goal of $120,000 set by CCS

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon residents are taking the lead in fundraising for neighbours in need this winter.

On January 24, volunteers, team leaders and sponsors for this year's Coldest Night of the Year (CONY) fundraising walk met at The Exchange in Bolton, Caledon Community Services' (CCS) home for food and social support.

That evening, a launch event was held for the annual walk which aims to raise money for those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

Rose Mazzon a Brampton resident whose son lives in Caledon, and one of the volunteers for this year's CONY walk. She said she's looking to move to Caledon and thought it would be nice to get to know the area by volunteering to help those in need.

“I enjoy giving back to the community in any fashion,” said Mazzon. “It's nice to see communities come together.”

CCS CEO Geraldine Aguiar said the annual CONY walk helps Caledon residents struggling with homelessness, poverty and hunger.

“We're going to walk on the coldest night of the year in our warm coats for five kilometres… but can you imagine what it would be like if you didn't have warm clothes and a warm place to stay? It's difficult sometimes to remind ourselves that in this first-world country of ours there are people that have tremendous need,” said Aguiar. “It's wonderful that the Caledon community is stepping up.”

Cristina Bradbury, a team leader for this year's CNOY walk, alongside her husband Craig and their three children, Lucy, 6, John, 9, and Keith, 10, first heard about CNOY years ago through her work, and when she heard it was happening in Caledon, she wanted to get her kids involved.

“I talked to the kids about The Exchange and everything they do here at Caledon Community Services, and told them about all of the other families in need that could use additional food and support, and asked them if they wanted to contribute and they were all very excited,” said Bradbury.

The Bradbury's team is called Birchview Blizzards and every year they include their friends, family and neighbours in their walk. 

John said this year is shaping up to be his family's best fundraising walk yet. Keith said he and his siblings have been having a lot of fun doing the CONY walks each year, and that it's very important to help the homeless and hungry in our community and across Canada.

Lucy got a head start on fundraising for this year's CONY walk as she ran a lemonade stand in the summer to fundraise.

Bradbury said doing the CONY walk with her family has been an amazing experience and she's happy they get to be a part of the community in this way.

Aguiar said this year's CONY walk is more important than ever as the number of people needing support in Caledon keeps increasing.

“We've got an ambitious goal of (raising) $120,000 and I know we can do it,” said Aguiar. 

CCS Chief Development Officer Mariia Kupriianova agreed.

“Every step we take, every dollar we raise, goes right back into the community,” said Kupriianova.

This year's CONY walk is happening on February 24 and will begin at the Caledon East Community Complex (6215 Old Church Road).

Anyone interested in registering for this year's walk — as a team, participant, or volunteer — can visit cnoy.org/location/caledon. Donations can also be made on the aforementioned website.