Close to 3,500 people participated in 18 separate ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ fundraisers across the Maritimes on Saturday, collecting approximately $1.1 million for various charities fighting poverty and homelessness.
Fredericton’s event had the highest number of participants, with 399 registrants, in support of the city’s John Howard Society.
“I am absolutely thrilled with the number of folks who have come out and how the community has responded to the need to deal with homelessness,” said Tim Fox, a director at the society.
The Fredericton event raised $144,713, passing the initial goal set at $100,000.
Fox said the money raised will help fund youth intervention programs, housing support units for those experiencing homelessness, and a 30-bed emergency shelter.
“People have got to know the event,” said Fox. “It’s very popular and runs across the country and in the U.S., but I think they’ve also responded because they realize there’s a need to help people who are experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness in our community.”
In Nova Scotia, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission hosted three separate events in Bridgewater, Lower Sackville, and Sydney.
The Bridgewater event was moved from the streets to an indoor walking track because of concerns about icy sidewalks.
Tim Richardson, a special projects manager with Souls Harbour, said the events have grown in popularity because there’s greater overall local awareness about poverty.
“It’s become far more readily visible that there’s a need for this. The fact that we can serve meals, help where we can, get people in out of the cold,” said Richardson.
The Moncton, Coldest Night of the Year raised $172,858 for Youth Impact Jeunesse.
The Saint John event, in support of Outflow raised $80,352.
The downtown Halifax event, in support of ARK Outreach raised $33,881.
The complete list of ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ events across the Maritimes this year along with their local charitable partners includes:
- Amherst, N.S. – YMCA of Cumberland
- Antigonish, N.S. – Naomi Society
- Bridgewater, N.S. – Souls Harbour Rescue Mission Bridgewater
- Charlottetown – Harvest House PEI
- Fredericton – John Howard Society of Fredericton Inc.
- Halifax – ARK
- Kentville, N.S. – Open Arms
- Lower Sackville, N.S. – Souls Harbour Rescue Mission Halifax
- Miramachi, N.B. – Miramichi Housing Solutions Inc.
- Moncton, N.B. – Youth Impact Jeunesse
- New Glasgow, N.S. – Pictou County Roots for Youth Society
- Saint John, N.B. – Outflow
- St. Stephen, N.B. – Neighbourhood Works
- Summerside, P.E.I. – Lifehouse Emergency Shelter
- Sussex, N.B. – The Sussex Sharing Club
- Sydney, N.S. – Soul Harbour Rescue Mission Sydney
- Truro, N.S. – Truro Housing Outreach Society
- Yarmouth, N.S. – SHYFT Youth Services Society
