Coldest Night walk on the Mountain back for 10th year
Popular fundraiser for Neighbour to Neighbour
Andrea MacAulay is ready to walk.
The Binbrook resident and her fourmember team called the Frosted Flakes will be one of more than 40 teams and more than 200 walkers taking part in the 10th annual Hamilton Mountain Coldest Night of the Year walk on Feb. 25 in support of Neighbour to Neighbour Centre.
“What keeps me doing it is Neighbour to Neighbour has great community programs to support our community and our neighbours,” said MacAulay, who has been taking part since the Mountain walk began.
She figures the Frosted Flakes have raised about $18,000 over the past nine years.
“I’m an avid hiker, so I’m ready to walk five kilometres in any weather,” MacAulay said.
The funds raised will help support the busy food bank and the other services the Athens Street centre provides, including the Hamilton Community Food Centre.
“Due to the overall state of our community right now, the demand for our services has substantially increased, which means fundraisers like Coldest Night are crucial,” said Denise Arkell, executive director of Neighbour to Neighbour Centre.
Jillian Harris, the centre’s manager of communications and events, said their goal this year is to raise $118,000.
“It’s our largest fundraising event of the year,” Harris said. “It’s a great way to get out and get exercise while supporting the community and exploring your city.”
As of Feb. 14, over $75,000 of that target had been raised. Last year, the event raised $125,000. Harris said this year’s goal reflects the unpredictability of the economy and lingering COVID issues.
All registration is online via cnoy.org/location/hamiltonmountain (click on the tuque icon).