Thank You for Coming To The Coldest Night Of The Year: February 28, 2026!
January 8, 2026
One night. One walk. A stronger, more connected community.
Despite February’s tendency towards unpredictable and dreary weather, the sun shone on our Coldest Night of the Year event on February 28, 2026! With over 300 walkers, 25 community sponsors, 54 teams, and 57 amazing volunteers (including the elite check-in team of Kelly, Chrystina, Roz, and Fayre pictured above with Karen, our director of operations) our third annual fundraising walk raised over $90,000 to provide food and supported care for those in need in our community.
Our local schools were out the week before at their own Coldest Night of the Year walk and more than 1,489 students took part in the off-site activities.
We are so grateful for all the members of our incredible community who joined us to build connections, create meaningful engagement, and foster resilient relationships to create a safe and healthy community for all.
For the third year in a row, we invited our Squamish community to this family-friendly, bridge-building fundraising walk to support people experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness in Squamish…and we are so thankful for the way this amazing town showed up for us, once again!
In 2025, our Squamish Helping Hands crew walked with 2,102 community supporters who created 55 teams on and off-site to raise an astonishing $101,368. We were joined by seven schools, the Squamish Rotary Club, and 28 local companies who contributed $22,600 in sponsorships to help keep our community safe and healthy for all.
As part of a national event, the 2026 Squamish Coldest Night of the Year took place alongside walks in 225 cities, towns, and communities across Canada, all occurring on the same night. Walking together on the cold, wet, dark downtown streets is a chance for every person to experience what it’s like to be unhoused during the most difficult time of the year.
All funds will go towards caring for people in need in our community. Every dollar donated will mean individuals and families who use the services of Squamish Helping Hands and the Squamish Food Bank will receive basic amenities and resources to stabilize and prepare for the next stage of their lives.
The Squamish walk will begin at Junction Park, 37950 Cleveland Ave and end at Howe Sound Inn and Brewing for a light meal provided by the incredible food service team at Squamish Helping Hands. Participants can choose between a two-kilometer or five-kilometer route, warm up with toasty drinks and snacks at rest stops along the way, and celebrate their efforts together with a cozy dinner.
Everyone who raises over $150 (or $75 for youth) will be given an iconic Coldest Night of the Year toque.
In 2024, Squamish Helping Hands raised an impressive $83,096 – four times the national average for a first-year location and already in 2025, talented and committed walkers and sponsors have made Squamish 19th out of 225 locations for dollars raised! This year, they are looking for 75 Team Captains to steer the ship and help raise more than $100,000.
Squamish Helping Hands is celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2026. With the recent merger between the Squamish Food Bank and Squamish Helping Hands, the fundraiser is an incredibly important time to collect donations at a time of year when giving drops to historical lows and honour two decades of dedicated work to helping people in need in the Sea to Sky region.
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January 6, 2026
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Thank You For Making the Holidays Holidays Bright For Those In Need
November 19, 2025
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