The event: Coldest Night of the Year 2023
The Aim: To raise awareness and commitment to programming for people who have experienced homelessness and/or precarious housing in Nanaimo
When is it? Saturday February 25th, 2023
Where will it start? Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo and Parksville Community Park in Oceanside – registration begins at 4 pm with opening remarks and launch of either a 2 km or 5 km walk following at 5pm
How do I get involved: Register to participate at cnoy.org/nanaimo or cnoy.org/oceanside
Is it a fundraiser? Yes, it is absolutely a fundraiser! When you register you can form a team and gather your friends and family around to walk with you, or to support your walk. Participants who raise $150 ($75 for kids!) will receive an iconic CNOY toque and serious bragging rights!
How are funds used? Funds raised in Nanaimo will go to support the programs of island Crisis Care Society here in our community. ICCS provides housing and wrap around, innovative programming for people who have experienced homelessness and sometimes have concurrent challenges with mental health or substance use.
Why should I bother? Coldest Night of the Year is about our community. It is centered on the situation of people in Nanaimo and offers its participants the opportunity to come together and do something small but powerful to contribute to change for our most vulnerable people. Homelessness is a big issue, but through CNOY all of us can step forward and say that it is important to us, and make a small contribution towards making a difference in our own community.