Coldest Night of the Year is back.
The nationwide charity walk sees thousands of people take part in hundreds of communities across the country. People gather in teams, or as individuals, raise pledges, and walk through their local towns—all to raise much-needed cash for local charities.
The Surrey area will host walks in five different locations on Feb. 22: Cloverdale, Newton, White Rock/South Surrey, and two in Whalley—Whalley North and Whalley South.
Coldest Night of the Year is an annual family-friendly event that helps support the less fortunate, while at the same time raises awareness about homelessness.
"Every dollar raised through this walk directly impacts our ability to provide nutritious food to families in need," said Lindsay Rempel, director of meal programs for the Cloverdale Community Kitchen. The Kitchen hosts the local Cloverdale walk.
“This event is an opportunity for the community to come together and make a real difference,” Rempel added. “By walking together in the chill of the night, participants will better understand the experience of being on the streets during a cold Canadian winter.”
Walkers, and rollers and strollers, can choose from a 2 or 5 KM circuit at most locations. The routes usually begin and end at the same place. Organizers add that one hundred per cent of the funds raised stay in the local communities.
CLOVERDALE
In Cloverdale, the walking routes begin and end at the Community Kitchen.
With three weeks to go, Cloverdale has already raised 36 per cent of its fundraising total—garnering just over $103,000 of its $280,000 goal.
More than 275 walkers on 66 teams have already signed up.
NEWTON
Hosted by Moving Forward Family Services, a 5 KM walking route begins and ends at Newton Athletic Park.
With three weeks to go, Newton has already raised 22 per cent of its fundraising total—garnering more than $4,500 of its $20,000 goal.
More than 30 walkers on 11 teams have already signed up.
WHALLEY NORTH
Hosted by Surrey Urban Mission Society, a 2 KM walking route begins and ends at the Surrey Welcome Hub building.
With three weeks to go, Whalley North has already raised 106 per cent of its fundraising total—garnering more than $21,000 of its $20,000 goal.
More than 40 walkers on 14 teams have already signed up.
WHALLEY SOUTH
Hosted by Surrey Road to Home Society, both 2 and 5 KM walking routes begin and end at Surrey City Hall.
With three weeks to go, Whalley South has already raised 13 per cent of its fundraising total—garnering nearly $2,700 of its $20,000 goal.
More than 10 walkers on 5 teams have already signed up.
WHITE ROCK
Hosted by Sources Community Resources Society, both 2 and 5 KM walking routes begin and end at the White Rock Pier.
With three weeks to go, White Rock/South Surrey has already raised 31 per cent of its fundraising total—garnering nearly $96,000 of its $300,000 goal.
More than 230 walkers on 52 teams have already signed up.
Canada-wide, all locations broke the overall goal of $13 million in 2024, raising $1.1 million more than in 2023, with all participants together raising just under $13.5 million.
This year, the nationwide goal is $14 million, with locations across Canada raising 35 per cent, nearly $5 million, by the end of January.
Anyone who wants to sign up to support Coldest Night can register by visiting cnoy.org/register.
