NEW GLASGOW
Pictou County Roots for Youth, its many volunteers, and of course, the many people who plan to walk this coming Saturday, are gearing up and getting ready for The Coldest Night of the Year.
Jan Keefe, event co-director for this year’s walk, said she is looking forward to The Coldest Night of the Year. She added that the amount of support that Roots for Youth has gotten so far has been phenomenal.
At the time of writing, Keefe said there were 31 teams, and a total of 211 walkers registered for the walk, and that “we’re shooting for 35 teams, so we’re pretty close to our goal.”
According to Keefe, The Coldest Night of the Year 2018 “has had a wonderful group of businesses stepping up and providing support,” noting that another big source of support has been the local sponsors.
Last year’s Coldest Night of the Year received $6,200 in sponsorship from various community groups and businesses, and this year sponsorship has already exceeded $9,000 – the group is shooting for $10,000. In addition to monetary sponsorship, Keefe said there has been plenty of “in kind” sponsorship as well, with the provision of food and materials for the dinner and event.
“It all keeps the costs down, so more money can come back to Pictou County Roots for Youth,” added Keefe, after a brief meeting with two members of the growing number of 60 volunteers at the time of writing, who will help make the night a success this coming weekend.
“Any money raised comes back to Roots for Youth. Even though it’s a national campaign, the money raised here stays here, to support programs here,” sad Keefe.
Last year, The Coldest Night of the Year raised over $35,000. This year, Keefe said the goal is to raise at least $45,000.
“We’re really encouraged with the response we got from the community. Last year turned out to be the (physically,) warmest night of the year, but this year, it may be different,” she said, noting that everyone should bring proper, warm footwear.
“We take care of the headwear,” she added, referring to some of the toques on display that volunteers and walkers would be wearing.
SIDEBAR:
The Coldest Night of the Year will take place on the evening of Feb. 24, and will begin at the Christian Fellowship Church on Abercrombie Road.
The walk will entail three routes:
-A two-kilometer route
-A five-kilometer route
-A ten-kilometer route
For more information, contact Pictou County Roots for Youth at (902) 695-3241, or check out the website for The Coldest Night of the Year, at CNOY.org.
