CORNWALL, Ontario – Winter weather is here and the Agapé Centre wants to get residents to start thinking now of the less fortunate stuck our in the cold.
In its fourth year here in Cornwall, the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser helps fund programs at the Agapé Centre and also raises awareness about life on the street in the winter.
Every year the Agapé Centre invites residents to form teams, raise funds and walk with them through Cornwall to get a feel of the cold.
This year, the Coldest Night of the Year will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25.
There will be two, five and 10 kilometer walks around town.
No matter the length, each walk will start and end at the Knights of Columbus hall at 205 Amelia St.
On the five and 10 kilometer walks, the Agapé Centre will serve as a midway pit stop.
Last year nearly 150 people participated, this year the Agapé Centre is hoping for 25 teams and 200 participants.
Their goal this year is to raise $25, 000 to raise awareness and help those who cannot get out of the cold, whether that be because they are homeless or because they cannot afford to heat their house.
It is possible to sign-up online on the Agapé Centre website or at the Agapé Centre.
More than 110 other cities will be walking on the Coldest Night of the Year on Feb. 25 this year.
“Some of the reasons its done is for us to experience the cold,” said event chair Jim Healey. “We get to experience it for a short time and can come back to the warmth and it is important to draw attention to that contrast that we can get away from the cold.”
This year, the Coldest Night of the Year’s route will pass through Lamoureux Park so that particiapants can see and enjoy the wonderful transformation that the park has undergone for the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.
