It’s almost time for the “winterrifc” Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraiser for Gravenhurst Against Poverty (GAP).
Sarah Hiscox, Co-Chair for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, says this will be the fifth year CNOY is hosting in Gravenhurst and each year they’ve raised money for GAP.
The fundraiser is taking place across the country with 160 communities taking part. The event itself is happening on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.
The goal this year is $100,000. “We’re very excited about having another successful campaign,” says Hiscox.
That’s more than the initial $75,000 goal that was set for last year’s walk. “Last year we started with $75,000, we blew past that,” says Hiscox. It ended up being raised multiple times and ended up raising $174,943 for GAP.
While the event is months away, Hiscox says now is when those interested in participating can register as walkers or join a team. She adds CNOY is also looking for businesses to sponsor the walk. Hiscox says to go to CNOY’s website to do that.
Unlike last year, Hiscox says they plan to have all the walkers leave at the same time. “It’s just going to be one mass amount of people walking through downtown,” she says.
There are two options for walkers: a two-kilometre walk starting at the Gravenhurst Wharf and going to Sawdust Brewery and back or a five-kilometre walk starting at the wharf and going to Mr. Sub and back. “At the end, we all meet for a big pizza party with all the different pizza locations in Gravenhurst,” says Hiscox.
Hiscox adds that the event is all about the community being together and supporting those in need.