Raise awareness on Coldest Night of the Year.
Participants in the inaugural Yonge Street Mission Coldest Night of the Year (Feb. 25) walk raised $22,000 for the Yonge Street Mission.
Photo/COURTESY
Some 200 hardy souls are expected to take to the streets of downtown Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 25 for the Yonge Street Mission's second annual Coldest Night of the Year walk.
The walkathon offers participants a chance to wander in small groups along their choice of either a five or 10-kilometre route through Regent Park and St. James Town. The event will serve to both raise funds for the Yonge Street Mission and boost awareness of the plight of some of the city's most vulnerable residents.
While last year's inaugural Coldest Night walk took place at two locations in Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo, it has gained traction to the point where there will now be 18 separate walks to raise funds for missions in various cities. The Yonge Street Mission raised $22,000 last year and is hoping to more than double that this year, setting a $50,000 fundraising target.
"Last year we had about 120 walkers and this year we're hoping for about 200," said Jon Unger Brandt of the Yonge Street Mission. "We think that as more people get to know about what we're doing we'll be able to get more support."
As walkers make their way through the downtown core, Yonge Street Mission volunteers will offer information on the history of the communities and offer insight into the plight of those living in poverty.
"We'll talk a bit about Regent Park and the history of social housing here right up until the revitalization; talk about the challenges of living in poverty and point out shelters along the way," Unger Brandt said.
Participants can choose to collect pledges in order to take part in the walk, or they can pay $50. All walkers will receive a bright blue toque and hot beverages provided by Starbucks.
The money raised will support Yonge Street Mission programs, including meal programs, drop-in support for homeless youth at Evergreen, seniors programming and more.
Unger Brandt hopes by walking through the downtown core in February, it will shine a light on some of the difficulties faced by the homeless population every day.
"We'll experience - at least for an hour or two - what a lot of people have to experience every night," he said.
The walk will kick off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Yonge Street Mission's location at Parliament and Gerrard streets. For more information, visit www.coldestnightoftheyear.org