YWCA Regina is set to host their 10th annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) event on Saturday, aimed at raising awareness and funds for local women’s shelters.
Meghan Trenholm, manager of communication and digital marketing for YWCA Regina, joined CTV Saskatchewan Morning Live on Wednesday to explain the significance of the fundraiser.
“In 2024, we had 911 women and children stay with us in our two emergency shelters,” she explained. “The need is so great. We had to turn away about three times as many women and children. It is not always an easy subject to talk about, but Coldest Night of the Year brings it into a context where anyone can come and really support the community.”
The event is a family-friendly walk-a-thon with the option of doing a two or five-kilometre route.
Adult participants who raise over $100 and youth participants who raise over $75 will receive CNOY toques.
Organizers are hoping the event raises $75,000 for YWCA Regina’s emergency shelters, My Aunt’s Place and Joan’s Place, which provide support for women and families facing homelessness.
“[They] are providing really vital services, and not just vital services, but you know, treating people with dignity and respect, and taking care of them as best we can,” Trenholm said.
“We see real wide variety of women’s experiences as they come into our shelters,” she added. “It is very often, a situation of, you know, being unsafe. And you know, we just want to make sure we’re getting women and children into the shelters and, you know, off ward and onward into secure housing and a better future.
Check in will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday at YWCA Regina’s kikaskihtânaw Centre, with a s’mores station, a hot chocolate bar, and a kid zone for people to take part.
There will be a short program at 5 p.m., followed by the walk, with rest stops along the way. After the walk, participants will gather back at the YWCA building for a meal.
“It’s really just a great time to gather as a community,” Trenholm said.
For more information and how to register, visit the CNOY’s website.
Almost 200 communities across Canada participate in Coldest Night of the Year events in support of local charities.
