Coldest Night of the Year walks to aid two Sarnia charities Feb. 24

Coldest Night of the Year walks back to Sarnia Feb. 24 to support River City Vineyard’s outreach programs and Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton’s affordable homebuilding.

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The two local agencies are again holding separate walks as part of the national fundraiser for charities serving those experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness.

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Participants who meet minimum fundraising thresholds can go home with a Coldest Night of the Year toque.

River City Vineyard, which runs a Sarnia shelter in Sarnia, aims to raise $45,000 at its walk this year. As of Friday, it was 25 per cent of the way there.

Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton had raised about 31 per cent of its walk’s $65,000 goal Fruiday, with about a month to go.

Information about both Sarnia walks can be found online at cnoy.org.

“It’s our third year,” said Habitat chief executive David Waters. Last year’s Coldest Night of the Year walked raised more than $50,000 to help build homes.

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He said the fundraiser is a good fit for Habitat because it’s family friendly with two- and five-kilometer routes along Sarnia Bay, starting and ending at the Polish Hall on Exmouth Street.

“It’s a cool walk that we got involved in a few years ago and we’re just happy to continue,” Waters said. “Last year, we had just over 200 (walkers) and we’re on pace to have about 300 this year.”

Check-in is at 4 pm for the 5 pm walk, with a light meal following at the hall at 6 pm being cooked by three local chefs. “They’re coming to prepare sort of the same dish, but three different ways,” he said.

“The walk is all about raising awareness about homelessness,” Waters said. “We feel that Habitat stops people from becoming homeless. We get them out of situations that would generate that.”

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Habitat for Humanity is completing two new single-family homes on Emma Street in Sarnia and plans to begin work in May on two homes on Gray Crescent, Waters said.

It’s planning March information sessions for a tiny home project in Sarnia expected to be built in 2025.

“We’re very grateful for the support our organization receives from the community,” Waters said.

This will be the fourth Coldest Night of the Year walk for River City Vineyard, whose first walk was virtual due to pandemic restrictions, said Renee Card, worship pastor with the Mitton Street church.

“The first two years we had quite an overwhelming response,” and exceeded their goals, Card said.

Last year, the walk came within about 85 per cent of its goals, “which was still a significant amount,” she said.

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Money raised helps with the costs of operating outreach programs at the church, including its newly expanded shelter, food bank, shower program and others, Card said.

“What I like about it is it’s a national fundraiser. . . (with) 191 separate charities, each walking together on the same day,” she said.

Typically, about 100 walkers take to the two- and five-kilometer routes in the Mitton Village neighborhood, beginning and ending at River City Vineyard.

“The vast majority are people from the community that just want to help us out,” Card said. “That’s always so encouraging to see.”

This year, Geresi’s Pizza donated five $50 gift cards for a draw to encourage walkers to fundraise. Participants will get one draw entry for every $100 they raise.

Check-in at the River City Vineyard event is 4 pm, followed by the walk at 5 pm and a light meal at 6 pm

“We celebrate with lots of warm food and cupcakes, and snacks and just have a good time celebrating our success,” Card said.

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