“So Cold Social” rallies public for Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year
- Ron Giofu
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Coldest Night happening this Saturday evening
Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year is this Saturday evening and an event was held last week to get people ready for the occasion.
The “So Cold Social” was held last Friday night in preparation for the Feb. 28 Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year, with the social being held at G.L. Heritage Brewing Co. Those already signed up for the 2K or 5K walks or those simply wanting to support the cause turned out for the event.
Proceeds from Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year will benefit The House Youth Centre.
Amy Bailey, a board member and part of The House’s fund development committee, said the committee is devoted and does its best to raise money to keep The House going.
“There’s not a lot of us but we’re pretty mighty,” she told the crowd.
Bailey added “we are fortunate to have a friendship with G.L. Heritage Brewing Co., who allows us to come here for this.” She also thanked Frate Street Food for serving the food.
The goal for Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year is $50,000. The money raised goes towards local programming at The House Youth Centre, with that program being geared towards high school students.
“This event is a huge one for us,” said Bailey. “We haven’t made it yet but that doesn’t mean we won’t.”
Bailey said they are looking to grow and work harder to get into schools to let youth know who they are and what they do at The House. They also want to spread their message to parents and raise awareness of the youth centre overall.
In addition to Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year, the other main fundraiser is their golf tournament held in the summer, but Bailey said work goes year-round to raise money for The House. She said it is the same program that it was when it was in the Brock St. location, but it’s smaller now that they are located in the Amherstburg Community Hub at 320 Richmond St.
“It doesn’t mean we’ve changed the things we’ve done. It’s just in a different building,” she said.
Bailey said the world can be difficult for teenagers and The House tries to help them navigate through that time of their lives.
“We are the light in all of that darkness,” said Bailey.
Morghan Shearon, program director with The House, said this is the sixth year for the local “Coldest Walk” event. She pointed out she went through The House’s program when she was a teenager and it helps provide a “safe space” for youth to allow them to grow as people. They can also meet new friends through The House, she added.
There are approximately 30 volunteers that support youth, Shearon pointed out.
“The work we do is important and it brings people together,” said Shearon.
Shearon thanked all of their supporters, adding “we couldn’t do it without you.”
As of press time, The House was 41 per cent towards its $50,000 goal as $20,861 has been brought in. More donations are expected. There were also 114 walkers and 25 teams signed up as of press time, with 41 volunteers registered.
The walks start behind the Amherstburg Community Hub, with check-in starting at 4 p.m., opening remarks at 4:45 p.m. and send off at 5 p.m. The afterparty will be at The Fort Fun Centre this year.
To sign up as a walker or as a team, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.cnoy.org/amherstburg.
“So Cold Social” rallies public for Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year
By Ron Giofu
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