Prepare for the Coldest Night of the Year

As Oshawa and most of Ontario recover from a chilling winter freeze, the coldest night of the year is still yet to come.

It will happen on Saturday, Feb. 23, as The Refuge will be hosting its eighth annual The Coldest Night of The Year walkathon.

The Refuge is a charity that works with homeless and street youth in Durham Region.

Since opening in 1999, The Refuge has worked with more than 5,000 youth in the region.

Annually, the charity serves 18,000 hot meals and snacks and welcomes 450 to 500 youth through its doors.

The Coldest Night of The Year fundraiser takes place in more than 130 communities across the country.

The event consists of a two, five or 10 km walk where participants raise money for a local charity and awareness regarding homelessness in the community.

The goal for 2019 is to raise $4.5 million across Canada.

In Durham, Refuge officials are hoping to raise a minimum of $75,000. Approximately $80,000 was raised in 2018.

“It is a great event that is not only fun for everyone but also drives home that our youth face homelessness even in sub-zero temperatures,” says Clarence Keesman, executive director of The Refuge. “Many of the youth who come to The Refuge have to walk everywhere regardless of all sorts of scenarios.”

If The Refuge is successful in its $80,000 goal, Keesman has promised to walk the entire 10 km route in an inflatable dinosaur suit.

Residents can register for the fundraiser at cnoy.org/location/oshawa.

The kickoff party begins at 4 p.m. at the Lviv Hall, 38 Lviv Boulevard in Oshawa.

The evening will end off with a chilli cook-off competition for participants.