Well hell has officially frozen over! I am officially done with winter, but it’s not done with us just yet.
As much as I hate it, I try to embrace it as best I can, especially for my kids who seem to love it.
I am sure you have seen communication around town about our upcoming Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) Walk.
This will be the town’s fourth year taking part and I am excited to be joining this year with my son’s baseball team.
Why are we walking anyway?
It’s all for a good cause. The CNOY Walk is a nationwide event that raises funds for local charities. Here in Bradford, we’re walking to support the United Way Simcoe Muskoka, an organization dedicated to helping vulnerable individuals in our community with essentials like food, shelter, employment, and physical and mental-health support.
I like that the money is supporting our community which makes it a great team-building initiative for local families, clubs, organizations and sports teams.
There’s no registration fee or minimum donation, making it accessible for everyone. Plus, participants who raise a certain amount of money will receive a special CNOY toque — perfect for staying cozy on the walk!
The fun kicks off at the Bradford and District Community Centre, where we’ll gather for motivational speeches, photos, and music before heading out for a 2.5-kilometre walk down Holland Street and back. Afterwards, we’ll warm up with refreshments and celebrate our efforts together.
Winter is such a miserable time, why not embrace it and get out there with your closest buds and make the most of it?
Even if walking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to get involved, like volunteering or sponsoring a participant. I volunteered at the check-in desk during my first year, and it was such a rewarding experience. This year, I’m excited to walk alongside my kids and show them the value of giving back.
There’s a launch event happening tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the new Community Hub (177 Church St.). Meet the organizers, explore the walk route, and get tips on starting a team. Oh, and there will be refreshments, too!
A huge shout out to Rosi Martin, the incredible organizer who has made this event such a success year after year. So far, we’ve got 127 walkers, 29 teams, and 32 volunteers signed up — but there’s still room for more.
I remember our first year, our goal was to raise $20,000. With so much momentum and build up over the years, we now have a goal of $100,000. Can we do it?! I think so.
Let’s come together and show our support for community.
Get involved today: Visit Bradford's CNOY page to register, donate, or learn more.
See you at the walk!