$3,1502%Goal:
$150,000
Annapolis Valley
Hosted by Open Arms
The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities. Let’s change the tune for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there. Join us on February 22, 2025 - team up, fundraise, and walk with us!
Event Day Details
Save the date - CNOY Day is February 22, 2025!
StartGoogle Map
463 Main Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia, B4N 1K9
Our Cnoy event will start, and both walking routes end at the Kentville Fire Hall in Kentville, Nova Scotia. At the beginning of the event, there will be a send-off from the Fire department, and a simple meal served there at the end of the event.
Schedule
- 4:00 pm: Meet Check-in
- 4:45 pm: Muster Gather for Opening Remarks
- 5:00 pm: Move Send-off
- 6:00 pm: Munch Light meal served
- 7:00 pm: Mosey Goodbye + see you in 2026!
Not able to join us in person at the Main Event? We hope you'll register, fundraise and walk offsite with friends and family.
Route Details
- Route Distances: Check out the maps below to see where we will be walking.
- Rest stop: Keep an eye out for opportunities to rest and refresh with yummy snacks along the route.
- Signage: Routes will be well-signed with our bold blue CNOY signs.
- Route Support: Route marshals, rest stop hosts, and support vehicle drivers provide support along the route.
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
- No Pets: We love our little furballs like you do, but pets are not permitted at the Coldest Night of the Year except for approved and trained service animals. Read more about our pet policy >
Check-In
- All walkers participating at the Main Event on Saturday, February 22, 2025 must check-in upon arrival.
- Toques! Fundraising walkers who raise $150+ (or $75+ for those under 18) will receive a CNOY toque as a thank you on event day, while supplies last.
- Offsite fundraising walkers can contact their local event director to arrange toque pickup the week of the event.
Have questions? Visit the FAQ section!
Handling Money
- Credit Card: The Best Option! Simple, secure, automatically tax receipted for gifts of $20+. Visit the Donate page, share your personal page link, or have your donor call the CNOY Head Office.
- Cheques: The Old Faithful - made out to Coldest Night of the Year with your name on the Memo line. Mail them to CNOY Head Office along with your completed pledge form.
- Cash: You have 2 options:
- 1. Login to FundHub, click “Enter $$ and Cheques,” create pledges for your cash donations, pay them off with your personal credit card, and keep the cash. OR...
- 2. Write a cheque (made out to “Coldest Night of the Year”) for the total amount of cash you’ve collected. Mail it to the CNOY Head Office with your completed pledge sheet.
Waivers
All participants must register online and accept the electronic waiver.
- Adults accept the waiver automatically when they register online.
- Youth/Children under the age of majority need a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
- An online form will be emailed to all parents/guardians before CNOY Day.
- You may also bring a filled-out printed waiver.
- Waivers will also be available at check-in on CNOY Day.
What to Bring
A few common sense suggestions:
- A cell phone for emergencies (recommended but not required)
- Good waterproof shoes/boots for walking
- Warm coat and mitts/gloves
- Extra snacks if you have allergies or food sensitivities
- Your own water bottle
- A passion for the charity you're walking and fundraising for!
Annapolis Valley Scoreboard
Are you thrashing the competition (for a good cause)? Find out here! Stats are updated every 15 minutes. See how you stack up on the national scoreboard >
The Challenge
Got a big-hearted business, workplace, group, church, or community? Step up and join the Challenge to compete for your local pride in support of CNOY. Check the National Challengeboard to see more!
About Open Arms
Open Arms is a dynamic and growing nonprofit organization whose work is rooted in Christian values. Our mission is to create lasting, positive change by addressing the root causes of homelessness and fostering a supportive environment for those in need. Open Arms is committed to treating every individual with dignity and respect, recognizing the inherent worth and unique journey of each person.
This mission is expressed through five streams:
1. Provision of Shelter Services
The Oasis Emergency Shelter is a low barrier 30-day emergency shelter designed to provide respite to those experiencing homelessness. With a 20 bed capacity, each guest entering the shelter is offered a bed, access to meals, laundry services, and connection to financial, employment, and health supports. All shelter guests will be offered the opportunity to work with staff to develop a case plan to address barriers that may be preventing the individual from finding or accessing appropriate housing. These services are client-focused and tailored to meet the needs of the individual. Guests who actively engage in case planning have their shelter stay extended beyond 30 days.
Tiny Meadows Shelter is a second stage shelter service for individuals who have demonstrated housing readiness and independent living skills. The shelter site consists of 20 individualized sleeping units, hygiene units containing laundry, shower, and washroom facilities, and a communal building for dining and programming. All guests at Tiny Meadows are connected to a housing program and participate in skills training and case planning.
2. Outreach into Communities
This program aims to build relationships with unsheltered individuals, provide advocacy, and assist with connecting these individuals with services and shelter or housing. Open Arms aims to provide both place-based and street outreach in Kentville and mobile outreach to serve individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the Annapolis Valley.
As part of ensuring the wellbeing and safety of people experiencing homelessness, outreach workers distribute simple meals and snacks, gift cards, and blankets/warmers, as needed. Activities include visiting with individuals experiencing homelessness, building relationships and trust to facilitate and optimize a safe environment to discuss obstacles preventing participation in programs and identifying means of overcoming those obstacles. In addition, outreach workers provide support and transportation to medical appointments and temporary shelters during extreme weather events.
3. Housing Program
Open Arms’ housing program uses a client-centered approach to develop long-term, stable, and sustainable housing opportunities. As housing opportunities have become scarce, we recognize the importance of supporting individuals on their journey to housing readiness. This would include supporting financial/employment goals, physical health goals, mental health goals, community involvement/volunteering to help clients maintain housing.
In addition to our housing program for mid to low-acuity individuals, Open Arms recently launched an Intensive Case Management housing program. The objective of this program is to help transition individuals with a high depth of need who are experiencing chronic homelessness into stable, long-term housing.
4. Provision of Affordable Housing
Open Arms is currently pursuing projects that will have us acquire existing and purpose built affordable housing units as a means of preserving and offering affordable housing in the Annapolis Valley. In some cases, residents living in these units will be provided with housing and life skills supports by Open Arms staff. Together with our shelters, this initiative allows us to address the needs of individuals along multiple points of the housing spectrum.
5. Open Arms Thrift Store (OATS)
Our thrift store not only provides free or discounted clothing and household items to those in need, but this program also provides opportunities for individuals to gain valuable employment skills.
2024 CNOY Photos
Here's a collection of our favorite photos from CNOY 2024 nationwide. Special thanks to our many amazing volunteer photographers!
Contact Us
CNOY Annapolis Valley 2025
The CNOY Team Participant & Donor Services
Toll Free 1.877.743.3413 / Phone 519.603.2250
Email annapolisvalley@cnoy.org