Grace Inn Shelter is encouraging Belleville
residents to once again team up, raise funds, and walk in The Coldest
Night of the Year (CNOY). This family-friendly, winterrific fundraising
walk takes place from 4 – 7 p.m. on Saturday February 24, 2024 and supports
those experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness in our local
community.
Tens of thousands of Canadians will take to the streets in 200 cities,
towns, and communities across Canada. 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, while raising funds
to aid the work of Grace Inn Shelter in providing much-needed support.
There will be facepainting and activities for kids and families
beginning at 4 p.m. as everyone gathers to walk. The event has brought a
lot of community support from businesses and organizations alike. Grace
Inn’s Volunteer Coordinator, Sydney Jarvis, is thrilled to have
partnered with Zone Athletics for the kids zone area. “Zone Athletics
has a great facility and we are excited that they will be bringing some
of their obstacle course activities onsite to provide a fun atmosphere
for kids!”
The Belleville walk begins and ends at Grace Inn Shelter, 315 Church
Street.
Registration starts at 4 p.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 5 p.m. and then
the walk begins. Participants will walk a 2 km or 5 km route and can warm
up with toasty drinks which will be provided on site by Starbucks as
well as soup by Chilangos at rest stops along the way. All those who
raise over $150 (or $75 for youth) will also don iconic CNOY toques as
they face the cold night.
The Belleville Drive-Thru Starbucks at 295 North Front St. is leading
not only Belleville’s walk scoreboard but is first place in sponsorship
out of 155 participating Starbucks stores across Canada with $4,575
raised to date.
This is Grace Inn’s third year taking part in the Coldest Night of the
Year and they’re aiming to raise $75,000 for their work with those
experiencing homelessness in Belleville. Community sponsors include
Bel-Con Design Builders, Mackay Insurance, Cogeco, Starbucks, Meyers
Creek Psychology and many more.
Grace Inn has been serving Belleville since it opened its doors in 2019,
and the funds raised in the Coldest Night of the Year event will go directly
towards operations at a time of the year known historically for low
levels of giving.
Get involved in the Coldest Night of the Year Walk here.
