Coldest Night of Year fundraiser planned for Feb. 28

The Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser will be Feb. 28 this year. Organized by the United Way, the event raises money for transitional housing in Tillsonburg. This photo from last year’s event shows participants setting out on their walk. (File Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Although many Tillsonburg residents are already grumbling about the cold weather, the bright spot ahead is the Coldest Night of the Year.

No, this is not a celebration of temperatures driven down by the next Polar Vortex, but the annual United Way fundraiser – and it’s a good thing, a really good thing, unlike bone-chilling cold.

Planned for Feb. 28 nationwide, the Tillsonburg Coldest Night of the Year is organized by the United Way as a fundraiser for Tillsonburg Light House. Tillsonburg Light House is a transitional house in Tillsonburg that can accommodate up to seven people while they put their lives back together.

“All money raised in Tillsonburg will stay in Tillsonburg,” said Kelly Gilson, executive director of the Oxford United Way.

The main thrust of the event is a walk, either 2.5 km or 5 km, for which participants receive sponsorship. The event will start with registration at the Tillsonburg Community Centre at 4 p.m., and the walk begins at 5 p.m.

“We go right down Broadway, through the downtown and back,” Gilson said. “It’s a really great time to spend time with like-minded folks who want to make a difference in the community.”

After the walk, participants are treated to a light meal, courtesy of The Mill.

One of the features of the walk is the toques, which are provided to adults who raise $150 and youth who raise $75. Each year features a different toque design.

“The toque is a badge of honour. We want to inspire people to earn the toque and then wear the toque,” Gilson said. “Not only toques are a great memento for the walk, it is so wonderful to see this group of people walking behind each other with their toques. It is really something to see.”

The goal this year is to raise $52,000, the same as last year’s. Currently, Gilson and her crew are trying to build excitement amongst the community to garner participating teams.

“You get really enthusiastic champions who set up a team,” she said. “They bring friends, families, co-workers. It was one of those events that was welcoming to all.”

Last year, there were 25 teams, and organizers are hoping for more this year.

Besides participants, sponsors and volunteers are also being sought. To sign up, sponsor, or volunteer, visit the website at cnoy.org and select Tillsonburg.