The community is a collective force in supporting The Lighthouse and its efforts to support those experiencing homelessness.
Nowhere is that more obvious than at the annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk. Orillia has always been in the top 10 for the number of walkers and near the top 10 for funds raised, per capita, in North America, said Jen Jermey, development assistant at The Lighthouse.
The event, locally, has raised $1.2 million for the shelter over the past 10 years.
“We have a real giving community in Orillia and really good support,” said Jermey, who will be participating in her eighth walk on Saturday.
“Ever since we started the first one, we’ve grown exponentially to where we are today.”
The first year’s goal was $30,000, and more than $52,781 was raised, said Meagan Bianco, development director at The Lighthouse.
Last year, the event raised $217,000. More than 800 people participated in the walk, overfilling the cafeteria at Twin Lakes Secondary School for opening ceremonies.
“To have that many people walking to support those experiencing homelessness and to see how the full city comes together for one evening ... it’s very special,” said Bianco.
The event has outgrown indoor spaces for the opening ceremonies. This year, the ceremony will be held on Mississaga Street, a portion of which will be closed for the event.
“It’s really a blessing and it captures the spirit of the event to start and walk outdoors,” said Bianco.
This year, with the help of sponsors, led by Faris Team, there will be a winter wonderland set up behind the eCapital building at 174 West St. S. starting at 4 p.m. There will be a kids’ zone, a warm-up before the 5 p.m. start, and free food including Chick-fil-A sandwiches, Tim Hortons coffee, pizza from Pizza Pizza and Red Swan Pizza, vegan chili, granola bars, and more after the walk.
The Lighthouse outreach van will be on site with officials available to answer questions about the shelter and its outreach services.
“It’s going to be a really wonderful evening,” said Bianco.
The fundraising goal this year is $200,000.
“We’re going to smash it,” vowed Jermey.
The top fundraiser last year was the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Orillia team. They are leading again, with more than $13,000 collected so far.
“They do a great job of fundraising,” said Jermey.
Individuals such as Julia Achilles make fundraising fun, even in this tough economy, said Bianco. In 2021, Achilles ran 50 kilometres in a day. In 2022, she ran 30 kilometres and spent a night outside in a cardboard box. Last year, she and her partner each ran 14 kilometres. This year, she’s been running two kilometres daily in shorts.
“Even on really cold days, she’s out there in shorts. She’s amazing,” said Bianco.
CNOY is organized through the Blue Sea Foundation, a charity helping charities. The first CNOY was held in 2011. It has grown to 190 Canadian communities and raised more than $75 million. It recently expanded into the United States, with 40 events this year.
Those wanting to make a donation or register for the walk can do so at cnoy.org/location/orillia. Updates will be posted to the Orillia Coldest Night of the Year Facebook page.
