CNOY event raises over $50,000 for local programs

Better Together St. Marys was the top local fundraising team in the 2026 Coldest Night of the Year event, raising just over $6,000 as of press time. Pictured, back row from left to right, are Tom Small, Julie Ward, Christine Rzepecki*, Jayne Tinney, Karen Mills, Pam Rodd* and Kim Corriveau. In the front row, from left, are Annie Jackson, Julie Docker Johnson and Cindi Jones*. Absent from the photo are Dianne De Jong, Kim Jones*, Don Dingwall and Maureen Hengeveld. Nourish Market volunteers are indicated by asterisks.

By Stewart Grant

The sixth annual edition of St. Marys’ Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk was the biggest one yet, with 157 walkers, 29 teams, 37 volunteers and $52,855 raised.

St. Marys was one of 222 locations across Canada participating on Saturday, Feb. 28, in the annual fundraising walk in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness. Across the nation, approximately $15 million was raised in this year’s efforts.

Here in St. Marys, the event was organized by United Way Perth-Huron’s St. Marys community committee to provide supportive funding for two essential local programs: the St. Marys community outreach worker and the Nourish Equal Access Market.

The St. Marys community outreach worker program offers facilitation, education and referrals for residents in need of support with life skills, mental health, homelessness and addictions. The outreach worker provides short-term assistance, connects community members to critical services and delivers community education and outreach, including liaising between landlords and tenants.

Jade Orquin, the Town of St. Marys community outreach worker, hosts weekly drop-in office hours every Tuesday at both the St. Marys Public Library (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and the Friendship Centre (1:30-3:30 p.m.). These sessions help residents connect with support programs offered by the town.

“Starting a conversation often helps me identify support services I can suggest or provide,” said Orquin, who encourages people to feel welcome and comfortable dropping by for a chat.

Run by the Local Community Food Centre, the Nourish Equal Access Market provides fresh, nutritious, locally sourced produce and meats to residents facing food insecurity. The market runs on the first and third Thursday of each month at the St. Marys United Church and is open to everyone – a point that Julie Docker-Johnson, community connector with The Local, emphasized after the walk.

“Lots of people think the Nourish Market isn’t for them because they can go to any grocery store they want to. It is in fact for you because you are part of this community.”

Docker-Johnson added many of those who have saved on their grocery shopping budget have further supported the program by donating so the market is always there for everyone, including those who need it the most.

“The Nourish Market is about fresh food for everybody. We all deserve it, we should all have it and we invite you to come check it out, bring a friend. It is for everyone, always.”

Donations for the Coldest Night of the Year are still being accepted throughout the month of March. To make a donation online, visit https://en.cnoy.org/location/stmarys.