The 11th annual Coldest Night of the Year event met its fundraising goals this month despite setbacks due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Coldest Night of the Year is a February-long fundraiser that serves people experiencing homelessness, hurt or hunger during the winter season. Starting out in 2011 with only two participating locations that raised $111,800 collectively, in 2022 it has gone on to raise more than $11 million with more than 150 different participants across Canada.
The Kennedy House, which leads the Toronto-Danforth walk, helps youth in the east end facing homelessness and runs after-school programs for the community.
It’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Kennedy House has helped Coldest Night of the Year for six years, raising nearly $25,000.
Cass Nagar of the Kennedy House participated in her own walk with a couple of colleagues during the event.
“The teams are walking their own routes since there is no official route this year,” Nagar said. “Because of COVID we’ve had to shift the event to being virtual.”
Despite what would seem like a big obstacle, the community wasn’t prepared to let that get in their way.
Starbucks Coffee Company has also been supporting the cause in many different locations.
The Starbucks shop at Ellesmere and Midland also participated in the walk.
“They’ve been posting a ton which is awesome,” Nagar said. “They have been collecting hats and mitts for us as well too!”
Coldest Night of the Year has steadily been increasing their funds raised each year without ever dipping since 2011, even during the pandemic, breaking $10 million before the day of the walk this year.