Youth Unlimited YFC Norfolk’s annual Coldest Night of the Year raised funds for Youth Unlimited programs, and raised awareness advocating for the hurting, homeless and hungry in the community.
By Chris Abbott
Editor
It was going to be a chilly walk and they had chili waiting when they returned, said Eric Haverkamp from Church Out Serving to the 100-plus people walking in Saturday’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser in Simcoe, organized by Youth Unlimited YFC Norfolk.
Held across Canada for various charities, Coldest Night of the Year walks first started in 2011. Simcoe’s Coldest Night of the Year began in 2019, first from Evergreen Heights, then the Real Canadian Superstore, and now starting and finishing at Riversyde 83.
“It is a great peer-to-peer fundraising campaign and it’s doing a really great job of advocating for the hurting, homeless and hungry in our community,” said Dan Avey, Director of Youth Unlimited YFC Norfolk, noting it is their largest fundraiser of the year.
Saturday night’s event, which had raised more than $34,000 as of Monday morning, was the largest ever in Simcoe in terms of people walking the 2-km and 5-km routes.
“We had a lot of walk-up registrations today, people who wanted to be part of it, but did not fundraise,” said Avey.
Pre-registration was over 100 people, including families and teams.
“We’re probably at 120-130 registered walkers, at least.”
Funds raised in Norfolk go to an ongoing Youth Unlimited YFC lunchtime program, with hot lunches twice a week, and the weekly Teen Link Wellness program which teaches youth about mental health, first aid, suicide intervention, healthy relationships, and stress management.
“Our Robinson Street (admin and teaching) location – that’s where we are doing the Teen Link program (12 Robinson) - has truly become a resource for this community,” said Avey. “We’re in the process of looking for other opportunities to teach kids empathy for those that are hurting, homeless and hungry in the community.
“It’s only been opened since August and we have given away over 200 coats out of there,” he noted.
Youth Unlimited YFC, which also operates a youth centre at 32 Union, currently has a staff of four.
With temperatures in the minus double digits Celsius on Saturday, it was close to the actual coldest night of the year for Simcoe walkers. The wind was blowing on their walk up and down Norfolk Street.
“I tell everyone to share whatever they have learned. You want to share how cold it is, and just imagine if you were living on the street.
“It is very fitting because there are people out there that are walking in this… without coats, without shoes, without shirts, and as I am on record saying, ‘We’re all one decision away from being homeless.’ It might take a million other decisions to make it, but it’s that ‘first decision’ that leads us there.”
On Wednesday, Avey had walked around the downtown area with his junior high program, showing them services available in the community.
“And that was colder,” he smiled.
Participants from Open Doors Norfolk walked on Thursday.
“The Lions Club being a part of today really makes me happy,” Avey said to participants, “as well as all the churches.”
Simcoe Lions Club representatives included Lion Rob Goold (president), Lion Gord Rollo (community outreach) and Lion Dave Abbey (past-president), who all walked the 5-km route.
“We went to it last year and this year, and I went to zone (meetings) and tried to challenge more service clubs to be here,” said Goold. “It’s such a great charity.”
“A good part of Lionism is just giving back into your community,” said Abbey. “There is certainly such a big need with the homeless people too.”
“I tried to get the Rotary and Kinsmen to come, too,” said Rollo.
“A year ago we donated money from the club directly to the cause,” Abbey noted, “but this year, this was individuals who got sponsors… so it’s not taxing any of our regular fundraising.”
Many of the local Lions donated funds to walkers, said Rollo.
“I was getting some calls last night!”
The cold temperatures did not seem to phaze the Lions.
“You just get used to it,” said Goold.
“You’re just walking and talking,” nodded Abbey. “Except Rob…”
“I’m a speed walker,” Goold laughed. “I was the first one (5-km) back.
Top individual fundraisers included Eva Dickson, Anna de Rijk, Lisa Cooper, and Suzanne and Dan Avey. Top teams included Ebenezer Youth Group, Norfolk Youth Centre, Citrine Counselling, Chapel Commanders, and First Baptist Frost Bites.
“I want to add my appreciation for everyone that came out today,” said Eric Haverkamp from Church Out Serving. “Homelessness is a really big issue, and growing, so to have so many people in this room have a heart and passion for that cause, and to care and love, and to increase awareness about this whole homelessness issue… thank you for being concerned and participating in events like this, which Youth for Christ has organized, and let’s just keep up the good fight for all the people, all our neighbours, who are homeless.
“We run the shelter, the only (cold) shelter in Haldimand-Norfolk actually,” Haverkamp added. “We feed the hungry and we drop in at the tent encampments in the summertime, and we know homelessness is becoming more and more of a concern. These are people who are losing their jobs, their homes. Economic circumstances are tough right now, so there’s a lot of new homelessness.”
Comments