Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc. (RaY) is encouraging Winnipeg residents to bundle up and raise cold hard cash for The Coldest Night of the Year on Sat. Feb. 21. The two, five and 10 km WALK is a family-friendly winter fundraising event for Winnipeg’s youth who are homeless, hungry and hurting.
Taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year will help participants understand the experience of surviving on the streets during a cold Winnipeg winter, all while raising funds to support RaY in providing much-needed resources and guidance to marginalized youth.
Participants of Coldest Night of the Year will be walking with thousands of other Canadians in over 80 communities, coast to coast. Proceeds raised in Winnipeg will stay in Winnipeg.
“This event represents an incredible opportunity for RaY to boost programming for our youth participants,” says Scott Angus, event director, “We are seeing an increasing number of youth every year at our door seeking supports and this event will allow us to ensure RaY will be there for them when they need it most. ”
The Winnipeg WALK takes place in the downtown area, beginning and ending at Gordon Bell High School, located at 3 Borrowman Place. There, walkers will register, turn in the results of their fundraising efforts, and return at the end of the evening for a warm celebration meal provided by Pizza Hotline.
“RaY speaks to the core beliefs of Pizza Hotline, and that is the youth of our city are the future of our city,” says Jerry Cianflone, Founder & CEO of Pizza Hotline, “Our company employs over 600 people, the majority of which are the same age as RaY’s participants, who are also looking to get their first start in business and in life. We are very proud and excited to be part of the Coldest Night of the Year.”
This is RaY’s first year taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year. An expected 350 walkers on 40 teams, including staff and friends of RaY, Pizza Hotline, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, The Downtown Winnipeg Biz, Virgin 103 and 99.9 BOB FM are expected to brave the cold winter’s night.
More information on walking, donating or volunteering is available at www.cnoy.org/winnipeg.
Winnipeg in the winter is a tough place to be for those who are homeless and hungry. PHOTO: Gregory McNeill
