United Way’s Coldest Night Of The Year Walk Returns To Goderich And Area On February 22nd
by Bob Montgomery
Lead sponsor Jayden’s Mechanical invites everyone to register for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) Walk.
United Way Perth Huron's Manager of Community Development for Goderich and Area, Michelle Millar says this year’s theme is “change the tune,” which speaks to the opportunity they have to impact the lives of vulnerable local people by putting one foot in front of the other. Their goal is $135,000.
“We’d also like to celebrate Goderich Town Councillor Randy Carroll,” added Millar. “Out of more than 10,000 walkers across Canada, Randy is currently ranked first with over $15,000 raised, which is amazing. We’d love to see someone take up the challenge and try to match Randy’s total, all in the name of supporting people right here in our community.”
This year’s walk is on Saturday, February 22, but there is an option to walk any time in February. Event check-in begins at 4 p.m. at the Goderich Legion with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Team captains watch for an email update on how to pick up your team’s toques earlier! Steve and Mary’s On The Square will supply homemade soup for participants. There will be an all ages social and music event at the Legion following the walk. Walkers can choose a two or five kilometre route around Courthouse Square. Participants raising over $150 — $75 for youth under 18 — receive a CNOY toque. Register at cnoy.org. For updates, join the “Goderich Coldest Night of the Year” group on Facebook, here.
As part of the Goderich event, Clinton is holding a CNOY walk on Friday, February 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. starting outside at the Central Huron Community Centre. Local schools, businesses and residents are invited to join the community walk. Hot chocolate will be served to all participants upstairs in the town hall after the walk.
Funds from Goderich and Clinton help United Way Perth Huron’s work in support of the Huron Homelessness Initiative, including shelter for women, children and youth, Huron Heart to Home, transitional housing for men and the Huron Supportive Housing Advocate.
There will also be a walk in Seaforth on February 22nd at 10 a.m. at Seaforth Town Hall, with a light meal and refreshments at Seaforth First Presbyterian Church afterward. Join the “Seaforth Community Circle” team here. Funds raised in Seaforth will support the upcoming Nourish Equal Access Market, offering wholesale prices on nutritious, local vegetables, fruits, and meat to residents facing food insecurity.
United Way would like to thank their sponsors: Canadian Tire Goderich, Capital Power, Compass Minerals, Excalibur Insurance, Ideal Supply, Jayden’s Mechanical, McDonald’s Goderich and Murray McKercher Lawyers. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Michelle at mmillar@perthhuron.unitedway.ca for details.
Photo courtesy of United Way Perth Huron
From left to right. Back Row: Bernice Glenn, Michelle Millar, April Selkirk
Front Row: Manoj Medavarapu, Beth Blowes, and Vicky Parent.
Missing: Mary Bruce and David Mackechnie
