By Wendy Lamond
With donations still being accepted until March 31, as of press time, the St. Marys Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser saw 145 walkers and 30 teams raise more than $45,155 for important local causes.
The Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) 2025 was held on Feb. 22. It is a family friendly walk in support of those most vulnerable in the community with all funds raised going to the St. Marys Outreach program and the Nourish Market.
There were also over 30 volunteers who stepped up to help the walk run smoothly. Walkers had the choice of completing either the two-kilometre or five-kilometre routes.
The committee of Jackie Cousins, Gwen Bradley, Louise and Marco D’Angelo, Rob and Leslie Edney, Cathie Szmon and Sue Fowler from Peak Realty, Terri Iredale from the Kinettes and Chris Schroer from the United Way Perth-Huron worked hard to make sure check-in went well and every corner was covered. Schroer starts his planning for the walk in early fall and the rest of the committee first met in December.
“So many came out to help, it definitely takes a village,” Cousins said of the event.
An event this size relies a lot on sponsorship. The following sponsors were recognized by Schroer as he welcomed all the eager walkers at the Pyramid Recreation Centre (PRC): McDonalds, the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation, St. Marys Dentistry, Forman Electric, St. Marys Insurance Group, Peak Select Realty, All Roads, Easy Lift Doors, Veterinary Purchasing, St. Marys Landscaping, Meridian and Ideal Supply.
Walker Julie Docker-Johnson from team Better Together was bang on when she shared the reason why people participate.
“The Coldest Night of the Year walk can be uncomfortable,” she said. “Uncomfortable because we are physically cold. Uncomfortable because we are acknowledging that there are people in our community that are struggling. Often, we need to feel it ourselves to take action. The Coldest Night is the opportunity to, as a community, get together to make change.”
The walkers were met back at the PRC by the big white polar bear and were able to mingle and warm up with some soup.
The St. Marys event mascot, Phileo the Penguin, had been making his rounds in town getting the word out prior to the event. His name means to welcome and befriend someone. The penguin was made by our local mystery man, painted by Julie Docker-Johnson and was dressed by Julie Phillips.
Planning is already starting for CNOY26 in support of those who are struggling with hurt, hunger and homelessness especially in the cold winter.
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