ELORA – It’s been cold, that’s for sure.
But the Coldest Night of the Year is coming – on Feb. 22 to be exact. It kicks off early evening by the paddocks behind the GrandWay Events Centre and wraps up with a warm bowl of chili.
Coldest Night of the Year is a national fundraising campaign to benefit not-for-profit agencies that help with homelessness and food insecurity.
Locally, Elora House is organizing 2.5km and 5km walks and will be the beneficiary of the funds raised here.
Executive director Luisa Krause said organizers are looking for people to walk – either alone or in teams – and help the organization meet its $80,000 goal.
This year participants will walk the track at the Elora raceway rather than walk along residential streets.
“It’s easier and safer,” Krause said.
It also keeps participants in the vicinity, making it easier to enjoy refreshments and camaraderie when the walk is complete. Registration begins at 4pm and the walk begins at 5pm.
It should take about an hour, Krause said, and participants are invited back to the paddock for a light meal at 6pm.
As of Jan. 30, Elora House had 66 walkers, 14 teams, and nine volunteers registered and almost $20,000 in pledges.
Krause hopes people will sign up ahead of time – it helps with preparing the right amount of food, she said. But people can register on site on Feb. 22 if they can’t commit too far in advance.
Elora House is a residence for women and girls who have escaped sex trafficking. Women are offered a safe place to stay and programs to help them recover from their trauma and reintegrate into independent living.
It opened in 2020 and accommodates up to four clients at a time. As the agency grows, it has added supports for women who graduate from Elora House programs and move out on their own.
“Stage two is where we see incredible successes,” Krause said, adding it’s at this stage clients have gained confidence and an understanding of how to care for themselves.
“But they still need support” when they leave, she said, as it can be helpful to touch base with counsellors and get guidance if they need it, as independent living comes with its own challenges.
“Our goal is to have four or five graduates who are actually doing well on their own.”
Sex trafficking is a problem that’s on the rise, said Krause.
“It’s not getting better and places like Fergus, Elora and Guelph might be little places, but we have it going on and it’s not good,” she said.
For more information about Coldest Night of the Year and the Elora walk, visit cnoy.org/location/elora.
Northern walk
The Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington (CRC) is also hosting its first Coldest Night of the Year walk on Feb. 22.
It takes place at the Harriston Arena at 111 George St. South in Harriston.
Participants are asked to register ahead of time, but on-site registration will begin at 4pm and the walk at 5pm.
The Harriston walk follows a loop that goes clockwise from the arena along George Street, Young Street, Queen Street, Pellister Street, Wellington Road 109, William Street, George Street and back to the arena.
One loop is 2.5km; two loops is 5km.
This walk is also followed by a light meal.
The CRC hopes to raise funds for its community outreach and support services programs that work with low-income families and individuals in Centre Wellington, Wellington North, Minto and Mapleton to connect them with resources, affordable and emergency housing.
It has set a goal of $20,000.
Those who can’t attend in person can still make their pledges and do their own walk when it suits them.
To learn more or to register, visit cnoy.org/location/minto.
