Communities Throughout Huron and Perth Getting Ready to Celebrate Coldest Night of the Year

by Bob Montgomery

The United Way Perth Huron's Community Development Manager for North Huron says Coldest Night of the Year Walks are being held in seven communities in Huron and Perth counties this year.

Lisa Harper says the Coldest Night of the Year event started about ten years ago and at that time there were two communities hosting a Coldest Night of the Year Walk. This year walks are being held in Wingham, Goderich, Exeter, St. Marys, Stratford, Listowel and Seaforth on February 24th, and Blyth is hosting a walk on February 17th.

Harper explains the Coldest Night of the Year is a fund-raising walk. The funds support those in the area who are experiencing hurt, hunger or homelessness. “Within each of the walks the money is designated towards a local initiative. So, for example, in the Wingham area it's the Northern Huron Connection Centre. In Goderich, it's the Huron Homeless Initiative. So each walk in the region has their specific initiative that they're raising funds for”, said Harper.

Anyone interested in entering a team in the walk or registering to walk or volunteering to help or donate to the walk can go to the Coldest Night of the Year website and type the location they're looking for. Harper says last year's Walk raised about 300-thousand dollars.