Mayor Bill Gordon toqued up at the recent council meeting in advance of the 2025 Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, hoping generous residents would donate prior to the February 22 campaign.
Since 2011, over $75 million has been raised through the Coldest Night of the Year across Canada in support of charities servicing people experiencing homelessness, hunger and related issues.
The Guesthouse Shelter in Midland is partnering with United Way Simcoe Muskoka for this year’s event, with organizers hoping to raise more than $50,000 this year, doubled from the $25,000 raised in the 2024 fundraiser.
A check-in time of 4 p.m. will take place beside St. Paul’s United Church at 308 King St. on Saturday, February 22 with a starting time of 5 p.m. Participants can choose between a 2.5- or 5-kilometre route to walk, and a toque will be provided to those who raise over $150 for the event.
“The Coldest Night of the Year is the once-a-year fundraiser – this is like the Terry Fox Run of the shelter system,” said Gordon. “Without the funds raised from Coldest Night of the Year, there’s a huge deficit that just couldn’t be filled otherwise.”
“I know many people would rather we didn’t have a shelter, and I think people that work in the shelter system share that – they’d all love to have no job because there’s no need for homeless shelters. We’d all be loving that reality, but it’s not a reality,” Gordon added.
Funding for the Guesthouse Shelter is broken down as 70 per cent staffing, 15 per cent program and building maintenance, 10 per cent food and supplies, and 5 per cent administration.
“I know everyone’s hands are out, times are tough. There’s lots of uncertainty in the world, especially financially,” said Gordon, who noted, “it’s absolutely mission-critical for this shelter.
“Any axe to grind with the fact that there is a need for shelters – which I share, it’s terrible that there is; or the fact that we have one and why can’t it be somewhere else, but it’s here because that’s where the need is – the only other next thing you can do to remedy this situation is to help fund them in any way you can.”
At the time of publication, the Guesthouse Shelter and United Way Simcoe Muskoka partnership had raised over $25,000 toward its $50,000 goal. Information on donations and participation can be found on the Coldest Night of the Year website.