The annual Coldest Night of the Year is coming on fast.
The event, scheduled for February 22, 2025, is one of the United Ways' signature events locally, and the Perth-Huron chapter is holding six different events with a goal of raising $566,000 which will go towards the annual fundraising campaign.
“Registration is now open for Coldest Night of the Year,” said Executive Director of the United Way Perth-Huron, Ryan Erb. “So if you have signed up before, you can just jump on and if you haven’t, sign your team up now.”
The events will take place in Stratford, St. Marys, North Perth, Exeter, Goderich and Wingham. The individual goal for Stratford is $200,000, while the St. Marys goal is $68,000 and North Perth’s is $63,000.
“This is a great opportunity to help people experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and other challenges in our community,” said Erb. “It’s all about helping people with their immediate needs.”
In Stratford funds raised will go towards supporting the Connection Centre, as well as Shelterlink Youth Services. In St.Marys, funds raised will support a community outreach worker, as well as the Nourish Equal Access Market. Funds raised in North Perth will help support those living with homelessness, hurt and hunger, as well as the United Way Urgent Needs Fund, which supports people in need when they need it the most.
“We are supporting organizations that make a massive difference in the lives of people when they are unsheltered,” said Erb. “When they are trying to find ways to put clothes on their backs or food in their bellies that is a big deal. The Coldest Night of the Year is a wonderful opportunity to walk a short distance, 2 or 5 kilometers, but to also raise pledges, and support the United Way and the services offered by local organizations.”
Coldest Night of the Year is a chance for the community to come together and experience even for a few moments the challenge of living precariously on the streets in the community.
“This is a real opportunity to come together and say we don’t want our society to be this way,” said Erb. “We don’t want people living outside unsheltered in the winter months in Canada. It isn’t okay, so we can really rally behind those kinds of things and work together to change the world we live in.”
Anyone looking to learn more or to register themselves or a team for Coldest Night of the Year can click here.
