News
April 08, 2024
Coldest Night Of The Year
Warming up the Night with Community
On a gloomy Saturday evening in February, the community of Squamish gathered for good. People from all walks of life called upon their friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to join forces and walk for hope.
Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is an international fundraising walk designed to raise money for local charities serving those experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness. It is a moment in time when tens of thousands of Canadians step outside the warmth and comfort of their homes to take a moment and reflect on what it might be like to be living without a home or secure access to food.
The event has been in existence since 2011 and over the past 13 years, has raised over $84 million dollars in almost 200 communities across Canada.
Squamish Helping Hands Society’s first attempt at the event was a great success with 54 teams made up of more than 250 walkers raising over $82,000. Proceeds from the walk will provide warm beds, hot meals, school breakfasts and lunches and food hampers to our community’s most vulnerable.
The event opened with a warm welcome from Squamish Nation and closed with a Community Celebration at Howe Sound Inn & Brewing serving participants a simple meal of soup and bread - similar to what is regularly served at Under One Roof.
“We had a wonderful response from the community and plan to host the event on an annual basis. We see this as a legacy event for Squamish Helping Hands Society – inspiring hope, community connection, dialogue and action long past the actual event itself.” reported Michelle Cronier, the CNOY Event Director.
CNOY relies heavily on community support and was made possible in Squamish by over 50 volunteers and 22 sponsors. We’d like to thank everyone involved in making the event such an overwhelming success!
Supporting Sponsor:
BC Housing
Rest Stop Sponsors:
Simon Hudson Personal Real Estate
Greg Gardner Motors
Squamish Savings
Squamish Terminals
Location Sponsor:
Howe Sound Inn & Brewing
Route Sponsors:
Eagleview Veterinary Hospital
Garibaldi Eye Care
Squamish Motors Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Anthem Properties
The Wilfred Developments Inc.
Sea to Sky Gondola
Optomeyes Eye Care
Squamish Valley Gold Club
Black Tusk Realty
Polygon Homes
Bosa Properties
Goods and Services
Tim Hortons
Hector’s Your Independent Grocer
Nesters Market
inbiz
Media Sponsor
Mountain FM
Community Supporters
Rotary Club of Squamish
Squamish Arts Council
Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association
District of Squamish
Donations will continue to be accepted for Coldest Night of the Year until March 31, 2024 at www.cnoy.org/squamish
However, donors are welcome to contribute directly to Squamish Helping Hands Society at anytime through our website: https://www.squamishhelpinghands.ca/donate/#:~:text=Donate%20Online,card%20using%20the%20online%20portal
The next Coldest Night of the Year event will take place on February 22, 2025.
We hope to have you join us!
