Coldest Night of the Year participants walk up 3rd Avenue East Saturday afternoon.

At the end of the day – at the beginning of night – it's all about keeping Safe 'n Sound open.

More than 250 participants, 44 teams and 22 volunteers raised almost $58,000 during the fifth annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk this weekend in Owen Sound.

The money will help keep the accessible downtown Owen Sound drop-in centre and support organization in operation during a period of funding upheavals and realignments.

Owen Sounders weren't the only concerned citizens pounding the pavement Saturday, Feb. 25.

Saugeen Shores and Kincardine each held their first Coldest Night of the Year walks Saturday, raising $45,600 with 209 walkers, 32 teams plus 44 volunteers, and $23,000 with 125 walkers, 25 teams and nine volunteers, respectively, for United Way Bruce-Grey.

Safe 'n Sound executive director Annette Pedlar welcomes walkers to the fifth annual Coldest Night of the Year at Owen Sound's Farmer's Market Saturday.

The Farmers Market provides a warm respite for walkers – and these young hooligans – before heading out through downtown Owen Sound.

Hearts grow by three sizes as Coldest Night of the Year fundraisers leave the Farmers Market for their two- or five-kilometre fundraising walks.

Traffic keeps a respectful distance from Coldest Night of the Year walkers.

Walkers close in on the half-way point of the five kilometre route.

Toques and buttons for everyone who gave time and effort to raise funds for Safe 'n Sound.

Jaret Koop warms up the chilled crowd. The Summerfest operations manager graciously entertained Coldest Night of the Year walkers and volunteers at the Farmers Market.

Volunteer Tom McDonough dishing out the wonderfully fragrant chile provided by OShaRE.

Five kilometre route

Two kilometre route

In 2022 the Coldest Night of the Year Owen Sound walk's fundraising goal was $40,000.

Volunteers instead raised almost $61,000, raising the bar for this year's goal to $70,000.

The Saugeen Shores and Kincardine inaugural walks each burst through their $20,000 goals.

 
This is Safe 'n Sound:

Our service model is a low-barrier drop-in model. We do not require people to make any changes to themselves before they enter our space and access our services. We meet people where they are at and design the programming around their current needs.

Because we offer so many everyday necessities like food, clothing, showers, laundry, period products, harm reduction supplies, and warm drinks, we have many people access our space on a regular basis who would not otherwise access the other supports that we offer. These include crisis counseling, housing help, and referrals to a wide range of specialized programs in a variety of sectors. We build a relationship with our participants and when they want to access those services, they have someone they trust to help them take that step.

The entire service environment is designed so that accessing everything is as easy as possible. Accessing our services is as easy as walking through the door and making yourself a cup of coffee.

– by Hub staff
David Galway