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Coldest Night of the Year walk exceeds $150K goal, record number of walkers despite bitter cold conditions

March 3, 2022   ·   0 Comments

On Saturday, February 26, S.H.I.F.T. (Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today) hosted its third annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk in Alliston.

The family-friendly fundraising walk supports local programs through S.H.I.F.T. that provide essential care and services for people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger.

Starting and finishing at the 54+ Club, attached to the NTRC on Industrial Parkway, the CNOY walk was organized by Alicia Kalozdi-MacMillan, Board Member and Fundraising Chair for S.H.I.F.T., and was supported by corporate sponsors including: Lead Sponsor – Baxter Canada; Supporting Sponsor – Flato Group; Rest Step Sponsors – Milligan Energy, New Tecumseth Optometry Clinic, Visco Industrial, Maggie MacMurchy of Coldwell Banker Ronan Realty, WD Potato; and Distance Sponsors – Rebel Crumb, McDonald’s Alliston, Giant Tiger Alliston; with in-kind donations provided by Sheldon Creek Dairy and Pizza Hut Alliston.

This year, S.H.I.F.T. asked each walker to raise $150 (or $75 for those 17 and under) in order to receive a branded toque, after registering and managing pledges at www.cnoy.org/alliston.

The 2022 CNOY walk in Alliston drew 56 teams and 323 walkers and raised $158,146 – exceeding the initial $150,000 goal. 

“We are thrilled with the results,” Alicia Kalozdi-MacMillan told The Times. “This community continues to show up for us in a BIG way when we need them.”

In 2021, 50 teams and 200 walkers raised $112,000, and in 2020 31 teams and 201 walkers raised $61,000.

S.H.I.F.T. will funnel the proceeds into their new capital campaign aimed at finding a new home for the organization.

“We are currently running a capital campaign to raise $500,000 to assist us in our move and the purchasing of a new location – the campaign has been named ‘Leading S.H.I.F.T. Home,’” said Kalozdi-MacMillan. “The benefactors at our current location are doing their best to support us until we find a new location.”

S.H.I.F.T. provides safe, respectful, and welcoming overnight accommodations as well as meals and supports to those experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness or food insecurity in South Simcoe through these programs: Emergency Overnight Shelter (EOS) Program, Community Dinner Program, Outreach Program and its Daytime Drop-In Program.

“We are committed to facilitating connection to further services, resources, and community by partnering with the individuals and families we serve to make a meaningful shift in their circumstances,” said Kalozdi-MacMillan. “We are always looking for passionate individuals who care about this community to help assist us. We need volunteers for all our different programs and specific committee’s such as planning and development, or fundraising.”

For more information about S.H.I.F.T. visit shiftforgood.ca or email info@shiftforgood.ca

By Wendy Gabrek

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