Annual walk helps the hungry, hurting and homeless in our community

By Laurie Hutcheson

A cold night can make for some warm and fuzzy feelings.

The Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk, a major annual fundraiser for The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation, highlights the plight of people who are homeless—no one wants to be outside on a bitterly cold February night. But despite that sobering message, it’s a night of hope and camaraderie.

There’s a lot of “fun” in this fundraiser, and all proceeds enable The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation’s dedicated volunteers to support those people in our community that are hungry, hurting and homeless and that need our love. The Table runs two soup kitchens, a community kitchen, a food bank, and the men’s shelter. It also runs the Love Connection, which offers things like supplies and a gift for a child’s birthday party or meat for special occasions like Thanksgiving, and the Exchange Store, which offers free items like clothing, outerwear, footwear, household goods, toys and sporting equipment.

So far, registered walkers have raised $17,250 of The Table’s $25,000 goal for this year. A special shout out to the top four fundraising teams—Muskoka Builders’ Association Walking Proud headed by captain Katy McGregor, the MBRP Exhausted Walkers and captain Ginger Barkey, one-man team Adam Begg (Huntsville Weedman) and The Town Walkers led by captain Councillor Jason FitzGerald—for their amazing efforts in raising donations this year. All have exceeded $1,700 in funds raised, with McGregor and her team leading the pack with $4,425 to date.

It’s not too late for you to join in the fundraising. New walkers can register either online any time or in person on the night of the walk (February 23) at 4 p.m. at the Active Living Centre—bring any donations you’ve gathered with you.

All of the information you need to register is on the CNOY website. Once you have registered, you can use ready-made “sponsor me” emails to request donations from your friends, co-workers and family members. Youth ages 11-17 must raise a minimum of $75 each or pay the registration fee. Adults must raise at least $150 each or pay the registration fee. Early bird registration is $25 until Sunday, February 17, after which the fee rises to $40. Children under 10 walk for free.

Walker Charlie Scott-Field with volunteer Anne Apperley at CNOY 2017

You decide the distance you would like to walk: two, five or 10km. Maps of the routes are available on the CNOY site. Along the route there are rest and snack stations, and afterwards a light meal is provided to all the walkers and volunteers at the Active Living Centre. It’s always ideal to participate on the event day, but you are also welcome to walk on an alternate day or walk at the indoor track and still raise funds for the cause.

Heather Berg, CEO of The Table thanks all of the community sponsors and the lead sponsor for the event, MBRP. She also thanks the many volunteers, walkers and team captains who have signed up so far. The Event Director this year is Jennifer Jerrett and she is available to answer any questions. Reach her at 1-877-743-3413 or [email protected].

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