Coldest Night of the Year draws 160 walkers - fundraising continuing

Walkers head out from the Amherstburg Community Hub during Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year last Saturday evening. Proceeds from the local event will benefit The House Youth Centre and the programming they offer. The House is located within the Hub.

Walkers hit the street for the sixth straight year in support of The House Youth Centre.

This year’s Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year was held last Saturday evening with the starting and ending points being the Amherstburg Community Hub, where The House is based. As of press time, they had raised $29,221 or 58 per cent of their $50,000 goal. There were 160 walkers, 27 teams and 55 volunteers with 2K and 5K routes available.

Despite the walk being over for this year, fundraising continues for another month.

Morghan Shearon, program director with The House, noted this is also the six year for The House being located in the Hub at 320 Richmond St., and their numbers are coming back up. Overall, The House has been helping local youth for over 50 years.

“We’ve been slowly growing our community back at The House,” said Shearon.

The House has peer mentorship programs for students in Grades 9-12 as part of its list of services and programs, with Shearon noting the Grade 12 group organized a meeting for the Grade 10 group. She said the House has “an amazing group of kids” and that she would vouch for every one of them.

“Our kids are kind and dedicated,” said Shearon.

All four of their peer mentorship programs were in the top ten of fundraising as of Saturday night’s event. 

Shearon said she has been associated with The House for 15 years, having gone through the program as a youth and now back as program director. She is the only paid employee. 

“I see the improvements we are making in all of our kids,” she said. “We hope to be here for another 50 years.”

Amy Bailey, a board member and head of the fund development committee, said she also went through the program as a youth and now has been involved with it in some form for 30 years.

Bailey said they have a lot of support with North Star High School joining this year. The leadership class walked, with Bailey said they are getting more involved with the high school and hope to get into other schools to educate youth about their services.

“We want to get your kids in our doors,” she said. “Life is challenging. Let us be the support that gets you through this.”

Shearon thanked the sponsors and supporters, from the supporting sponsor to rest stop sponsors, premium goods and services sponsor (Festival Tent and Party Rentals), route sponsors and motivational marker sponsors, goods and services sponsors and the media sponsor (107.9 FM CKBG).  The Amherstburg Firefighters Association served chili after the walk and The Fort Fun Centre hosted the after-party.

Walkers head out on the 5K route during last Saturday night’s Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year.

The River Town Times was proud to be the supporting sponsor this year.

Sarah Wilson was the volunteer co-ordinator this year and she said she also has 15 years of association with The House. 

“This is a place that means a lot to me,” said Wilson. “It made me who I am today.” 

Wilson also thanked the walkers, adding “we could not be doing this without you.”

Mayor Michael Prue thanked The House and all of their supporters.

“You make Amherstburg very, very proud,” said Prue. “What a contribution you make to our community.”

For more information on The House Youth Centre, visit www.thehouseyouthcentre.com.

Donations to Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year are being accepted until March 31. To donate, visit www.cnoy.org/amherstburg. 

Coldest Night of the Year draws 160 walkers - fundraising continuing

By Ron Giofu