Coldest Night of the Year charity walk to benefit Elora House this year

ELORA – They can’t predict what the weather will be on Feb. 26 but for those who participate, it will be the Coldest Night of the Year.

And that might leave people feeling warm and fuzzy.

Coldest Night of the Year is a charity started in 2011 by Kitchener-based Blue Sea Foundation. Originally it focussed on raising money for homelessness.

With just two locations - one in Toronto and one in Kitchener - the walks that year raised $110,000. It was the start of something big, said spokesperson Mika Takamaki in an interview.

“Last year, was our biggest year ever,” he said. “Even though almost every event was virtual, there were 25,000 walkers in 149 locations, and they raised $9.9 million.”

This year there will be walks in 167 locations across Canada and for the first time, there will be walks at eight locations in the U.S. The focus has broadened as well and now fundraising is for the hungry, the hurting and the homeless, Takamaki said.

Here, Elora House is organizing a Coldest Night walk and will receive the funds raised. Elora House is a residential centre for women who have escaped human trafficking and it relies solely on financial donations to operate.

“We hope to boost participation and get the donations up this year,” said chair of fundraising Shannon Frizzell. “Last year we raised $42,000, which is pretty good. But the need is so much bigger.”

The Elora walk will be virtual but it takes place on Feb. 26. Folks can register and join a team, create a team, or donate to a team. Teams can choose their own route and time to walk on Feb. 26 and then submit the money they’ve raised.

For more information and to sign up, visit cnoy.org/location/elora.