With the cost of basic needs sky rocketing, United Way’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walking event raises funds to assist with initiatives that support those experiencing homelessness.
The fundraising goal is based on growing needs, and the event organizers in Goderich aimed to raise $135,000 to assist with programs and services provided locally.
Over 260 walkers participated in the CNOY in Goderich on Saturday, February 22, raising well above the initial fundraising goal with $173,773 as of February 27.
“Whether people are giving $50 or $500, funds raised go toward programs and services helping vulnerable people right here in Goderich and area,” explained Michelle Millar, Community Development, United Way Perth-Huron.
CNOY draws tens of thousands of Canadians out of the comfort and warmth of their home each year.
Funds raised during CNOY go to organizations whose commitment and work transforms lives, by financially supporting local services to support vulnerable families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Hosted by United Way Perth-Huron, the funds raised in Goderich will support the Huron Homelessness Initiative. This includes shelters for women and children escaping violence, shelter supports for youth, Heart to Home, transitional housing for me, and the Huron Supportive Housing Advocate.
According to Millar, the generosity shown by the Goderich and area community has been incredible since the walk started in 2020.
Since then, the community has raised $695,980. This year Goderich ended up as the 15th highest fundraising walk in all of Canada.
This year, team Oh My Goderich led the fundraising efforts with over $42,000, surpassing their initial goal of $35,000.
This team of walkers consisted of Councillor Randy Carroll, Mayor Trevor Bazinet, Councillor John Thompson, Jennifer Morris, Deputy Mayor Leah Noel, Michaela Johnston, Bev Jeffray and Brian Jeffray.
In addition to fundraising this year, Mayor Trevor Bazinet took his efforts further and spent the entire night of February 21 outside for 12 hours.
Joined by Councillor Randy Carroll and April Selkirk, Bazinet admits it would have been hard to complete the challenge on his own.
“I could not imagine experiencing this every single day, all day long,” admitted Bazinet in a heart felt statement on social media.
“I was lucky because I had two people join me and I had a warm house to come home to after 12 hours. So many people have nothing but the will to fight and continue to look for shelter and food.”
Stressing that staying out all night in the cold was a small step to such a big issue, experiencing it briefly opened his mind and reiterated why there is such a strong need to continue to advocate for support.
After the 12 hours outside in the cold night Bazinet admitted he did not sleep, and he had to keep walking to try to keep his body warm.
The warm clothes Bazinet wore throughout the night will be donated to someone in need.
Other notable fundraising efforts in Goderich include Bernie’s Bunch captained by Bernice Glenn, raising $21,835, BluffsStrong captained by Marlene Hodgins, raising $8,530 and Wonderful Walking Women (and some amazing men) captained by Barbara Kane, raising $7,259.99.
The top five fundraising teams in Goderich were Oh My Goderich, Bernie’s Bunch, BluffsStrong, Wonderful Walking Women (and some amazing men) and Goderich Rotarians and Friends.
The top five individual fundraisers were Councillor Randy Carroll, Mayor Trevor Bazinet, Bernice Glenn, Cheryl Dunn and Bruce Thomasson. Collectively, they raised over $55,000.
Since 2020, the event has grown in Goderich. Participants of CNOY in 2020 raised $49,000, in 2021 $85,724, in 2022 $107,161, in 2023 $126,145 and in 2024 $132,555.
Fundraising efforts across Canada have resulted in over $14 million raised for programs and initiatives supporting those experiencing homelessness.
Oh My Goderich landed in fourth place out of all teams in Canada for their fundraising efforts this year.
Walkers in Clinton took part raising funds for local programs and services with a CNOY walk on Friday, February 21. Walkers raised $2,310 as part of the total raised in Goderich.
UWPH would like to recognize all sponsors of the 2025 CNOY walk, especially Jayden’s Mechanical as the title/lead sponsor for the Goderich CNOY.
As of February 27, the event in Goderich has raised $173,773 (and growing) of the initial $135,000 goal.
If inspired by the generosity of the community, and there are still individuals who want to give, online donations are open until March 31 at cnoy.org
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