Blue Door is preparing for the Coldest Night of the Year in February. It is the organization's signature fundraiser of the year and provides critical funding for life-saving services and programs.
Registration is now open for the walk on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at 4 p.m. at TMS Lower Campus in Richmond Hill. This will be Blue Door's first time holding the event in-person in two years.
“While the government continues to play a big part in preventing and ending homelessness, so does our community,” said Blue Door CEO Michael Braithwaite. “An easy and fun way to be part of the solution is to take part in the national Coldest Night of the Year event in Richmond Hill benefiting Blue Door and the thousands of our region’s vulnerable we support each year."
On any given night in York Region there are about 500 people who are sleeping in tents, cars, couches, or on the streets, Blue Door said. It said that between the pandemic, rising costs, and economic changes people are being forced to make tough choices like giving up their home or skipping meals to save.
"There is simply not enough funding available for Blue Door’s life-saving programs and your support is needed now more than ever," it said.
The goal is to raise $150,000 with this fundraiser. The funds from Coldest Night of the Year will go toward supporting urgent needs, Blue Door’s Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold program, and providing services to youth, adults, seniors, and families experiencing homelessness and poverty in York Region.
The Mosaic Interfaith program is a community-driven effort to provide warm beds, meals, showers, clothing and more during the winter months.
You can register for Coldest Night of the Year online. There are five kilometer and two kilometer routes with rest stops and snacks available along each.
Walkers who raise more than $150 will receive a toque on event day as a thank you and to commemorate the Coldest Night of the Year.
