Over 140 walkers hit the streets of Amherstburg over the weekend for the local Coldest Night of the Year walks.
The fifth annual Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year (ACNOY) was Saturday evening and based out of the Amherstburg Community Hub, where The House Youth Centre is located.
Proceeds from the event, which as of press time had raised $37,198 or 74 per cent of the $50,000 goal, will go to The House.
Amy Bailey, a volunteer board member with The House and chair of the fund development committee, said it was “pretty special” to see so many people in attendance this year.
The Coldest Night of the Year organization chose Amherstburg and, in particular The House, as they have a goal of aiding causes such as mental health, hunger and homelessness. The House is seen as a “preventative measure” to help ward off those things.
“We want to make sure we provide a place for young people to go,” said Bailey.
The theme for this year’s Coldest Night of the Year was “Change the Tune” with the aim of changing “the tune” for those suffering from mental health, hunger and homelessness.
Bailey noted that compared to walk night last year, there were 22 teams with 27 participating this year. Walkers went from 124 last year to 143 this year.
Morghan Shearon, the program director at The House, noted the youth centre was founded in 1971 but they have been rebuilding in the last five years. She acknowledged “it’s weird to say” something like that, but they have had to bounce back from moving from their long-time home at 247 Brock St. into the hub.
“For the past five years, we’ve been sustained by fundraising and donations,” said Shearon.
Membership is climbing with the Grade 9 group one of the groups showing an increase. She said there is activity nightly at The House with young people connecting to the groups and people they need, even if it’s simply each other.
Shearon added teens can be their “messy selves” at The House as they evolve into the leaders of the future.
Bailey and Shearon thanked the over 30 sponsors that helped with the ACNOY, including lead sponsor Shooters Roadhouse. Shelley Kelly, who owns Shooters with husband Matt, who has 29 years of experience working with youth in her day job, said that made the ACNOY a cause close to Shooters.
“Our youth is struggling more than ever,” said Kelly.
Technology and social media is often having an adverse impact on youth, with anxiety and depression rising among youth. The House provides a non-judgmental and invaluable resource for youth, Kelly added.
There were almost 40 volunteers that assisted with Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year. Volunteer co-ordinator Tyler Cluney said “without volunteers, we could not be able to have an event like this.” He noted they were led by the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment and the Amherstburg Firefighters Association helped as well, with firefighters providing chili back at the hub at the conclusion of the event.
North Star High School students and staff were also credited for taking part this year.
Rob Gaunt, a member of the original class of The House back in 1972 under founder Father John Ware, was at the ACNOY last Saturday. He noted he is also related to Matt Kelly but he noted he wanted to come back and support The House.
“I’m just here to support the House of Shalom,” he said. “I went here 53 years ago. It was a good time.”
Donations to the ACNOY can still be made until March 31. To make a donation, visit www.cnoy.org/amherstburg.
Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year sees more walkers, money
By Ron Giofu
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