Preparations and fundraising are underway for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY).
Al Baker of NeighbourLink said while the charity walk raises funds nationally, locally the money goes towards the NeighbourLink program.
“It’s just a response to the number of people who are homeless and needy in our community,” he said. “This is a fundraiser for NeighbourLink. CNOY is a national charity. They exist to help fundraise for smaller charities.”
Baker said the local charities keep 70 per cent of the funds raised in their market.
NeighbourLink is a Christian ministry, supported by 30 area churches and private donors, that “connects people in need with people who can help.”
Primarily, NeighbourLink volunteers provide transportation for people in need so they can keep medical appointments or trips to the food bank among other things. Its volunteers have also completed small construction or renovation projects, provided basic financial management guidance and provided friendly visits to the lonely or shut-in.
Last year, NeighbourLink’s efforts saw them reach 98 per cent of their $25,000 goal for CNOY. They set the bar at $30,000 this time around.
“Hopefully, we can exceed it,” Baker said.
The walk, the second annual here in Chatham, takes place Feb. 24, in the middle of winter.
“It’s not summer. The idea is to get people out in the cold to identify with those who have nowhere to go in the winter,” Baker said. “It really drives home the point of how being homeless is miserable.”
Last year, temperatures the week prior to the walk were closer to summer than winter, as one day’s high reached 19C.
Last year, about 130 people signed up to take part. Baker hopes to see it grow this time around.
“It’s a labour of love. These things are a lot of fun,” he said.
To learn more, visit cnoy.org and look for the Chatham-Kent page on the website. You can register online or contact NeighbourLink directly at 519-352-5647.
