Posted on: January 12th, 2023. By: Blue Door Staff, Featured in: Newmarket Era, Vaughan Citizen, and Markham Economist.
Blue Door is gearing up to put on their toques and get outside for the 12th annual Coldest Night of the Year. The Coldest Night of the Year is a nationwide event where Canadians step outside of their comfort zone to brave the cold and walk to raise funds and awareness, to support local charities serving individuals facing hunger, hurt, and homelessness, like Blue Door.
Join Blue Door as they walk on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, from 4pm to 7pm starting at the Toronto Montessori School, for the first in-person walk since 2020.
All funds raised will support Blue Door’s lifesaving housing programs, including Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold. Although beginning as separate entities, Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold and Blue Door combined efforts in 2021 to create a ‘one-door approach’ to provide high-quality, safe, cost-efficient, effective, administratively sound, and integrated community services for individuals experiencing homelessness in York Region.
Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold was created to provide emergency housing and food to those who are experiencing homelessness during the winter months, through their budding network of over 50 interfaith community partnerships. Currently, there are 13 host sites in York Region that operate from November to March each year.
As the largest provider of emergency housing in York Region, Blue Door relies on community support to provide housing and health programs to individuals experiencing homelessness, who have been disproportionally impacted in the past years due to the pandemic. Since 2020, Blue Door has seen a consistent increase in people who are experiencing homelessness in York Region and adapted their programs to meet the growing need amongst pandemic restrictions. However, as the organization’s housing programs return to normalcy, the increased need is still prevalent.
Looking to get involved? This year, there are three key ways you can get involved. Frist, you can register a team to walk in the event. Ask your friends, family, neighbours, and/or colleagues to join you as you step outside of your comfort zone and participate in this family-friendly event. Second, you can sponsor a team. If you are unable to participate in the event but want to show your support you can sponsor a team. Lastly, you can volunteer at the event. Volunteering is a great way to participate in the event and cheer on fellow participants, all while supporting a great cause.
Coldest Night of the Year is free to join and is an event for the whole family. Participants can choose to walk a 2-kilometer or 5-kilometer route, either by themselves or part of a team! As a thank you to those who raise funds ($150 for adults, $75 for youth 17 and under) you will receive a 2023 limited edition Coldest Night of the Year toque. Similarly, the first 200 walkers to raise $500 will receive a limited edition “Hurry Hoodie” sweater.
This year, make sure the people experiencing homelessness know they are not alone. Registration is free and you can register anytime at: cnoy.org/location/richmondhill
Interested in sponsoring a team? Contact Rebecca at rebecca.t@bluedoor.ca