Members of SSVP St Matthew Conference in Oakville decided to host a Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk, held across Canada on Saturday, February 22nd 2025. They hosted a new site for the 2km/5km walk in the neighbourhood; participants met for the kick-off, walked the distance of their choice on the approved properly-marked and supervised route, dropped in at the rest stop at Glen Abbey United Church and finished off the event together in the Saint Matthew Church Hall, warming up over a small meal.
In the months leading up to the event, the conference team met regularly with the CNOY team for training sessions, planning and support. The framework for the event, including the event website, event logistics guidelines, advertising materials, the registration/fundraising platform and participant rewards (hoodies, toques, buttons, stickers etc.) were managed by CNOY. They also covered event insurance.
The SSVP team set up its own site on the CNOY website, and each team captain created their own personalized team page. Walkers and volunteers then signed up and reached out to their circle of acquaintances for donations. The registration/fundraising platform was very easy to navigate and results were tabulated regularly so we could track our progress towards our goal. CNOY encouraged host sites across Canada to meet virtually to share success stories and challenges. Each site also had their own CNOY advisor; we would meet with our advisor over zoom to brainstorm and have any questions answered.
Our conference members found rewarding engaging with parishioners and our own circle of acquaintances about this walk to aid those who were experiencing hurt, hunger or homelessness. 27 teams registered for our walk including two Oakville conference teams – St Dominic/St Andrew and Mary Mother of God along with their young Vincentians. In total, 129 walkers and 47 volunteers participated. We happily collected $45,629 – 228% of our initial fundraising goal!
That Saturday, you could feel the good will in our church narthex, out on the street, at the rest stop, down in the kitchen and in the church hall. Solidarity for our neighbours in need was shared by all: our parish, our donors, our volunteers, our walkers and the local businesses that donated goods and funds to the event. It was so heart-warming on a very cold day in February to see how the community – people of all walks of life and faith wearing their CNOY toques – came together in support of our neighbours.
Jennifer Monte – Oakville
