Coldest Night of the Year brings Warmth to Women and Children

YWCA Regina will host the Coldest Night of the Year on Saturday, February 22^nd starting at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral at 1861 McIntyre Street.

For the fifth year in a row, YWCA Regina will host Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) to help hungry, homeless and hurting people in our city. CNOY is an annual event held in 136 communities across the country raising money and awareness in support of programs fighting homelessness and poverty. On Saturday Mayor Michael Fougere will join YWCA Regina’s CEO Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen, and about 100 other participants, on a walk through Regina’s Downtown and Heritage neighbourhoods.

Everyone is welcome to take part in this family-friendly event. Walkers have a choice of two or five-kilometre routes with fun-filled interactive rest stops along the way hosted by community partners that include the Cornwall Centre, Regina Fire & Protective Services, and Queen City Collective. Community spirit will be evident with music playing at cheer stations and hot chocolate, tea, coffee and even chicken soup offered! At the end of the jaunt, walkers will return to St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral for a reception with chilli served by the Queen City Kinettes.

Coldest Night of the Year is an opportunity for like-minded individuals to share a heartwarming, experience with heart-healthy exercise. In addition to the benefits of camaraderie, it is an opportunity to make real change. By walking at dusk, during a cold winter’s night, walkers sense a bit of the challenge faced by people suffering homelessness.

There is a great deal of need. YWCA Regina shelters are at maximum capacity. In 2019 My Aunt’s Place (MAP), Regina’s only 24-hour emergency homeless shelter for women and families, served 512 women and their children. Unfortunately, MAP had to turn away over 1500 women and their children due to lack of space last year. Funds collected from the Coldest Night of the Year will help YWCA Regina bring warmth to hundreds of women and children. To learn more about CNOY, or financially support a team, please visit https://cnoy.org/regina.

Media contact:  Donna Boyle, YWCA Regina Director of Communications
Email: donnab@ywcaregina.com or Telephone: 306-525-2141 ext. 145