St. Catharines
Start Me Up Niagara
264 Walkers|61 Teams|51 Volunteers|18 Days Left
Why We Walk…
To raise funds and awareness for people in the community who are struggling with physical, emotional, or mental pain ("hurting"), struggling with food insecurity ("hungry"), or lack of stable affordable housing ("homeless").
Why It Matters…
Each step you take helps create a safe, welcoming space for individuals facing poverty and homelessness. By participating and supporting this walk, you are directly helping to provide resources and services that address these critical needs, aiming to improve the quality of life providing critical services like mental health support, medical access, food insecurity supports and a safe place to rebuild.
Join us on February 22, 2025 - team up, fundraise, and walk with us!
About Start Me Up Niagara
Start Me Up Niagara works with individuals facing significant life challenges such as compromised mental health, addictions, poverty, homelessness, and unemployment. We provide opportunities to improve health, increase community integration, and support employment.
-- Our Vision -- A society where all people are included, healthy, and self-sufficient.
Join us on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 for the Coldest Night of the Year and you can help us raise vital support for those in need right here in our community.
St. Catharines 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 >
Community Sponsors
St. Catharines (Start Me Up Niagara) is super grateful for our fantastic 2025 sponsors! View all sponsors >
Top Challengers
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!
Event Day Details
Save the date - CNOY Day is February 22, 2025!
Local Details
Parking
Parking is available around Market Square in the parking lot. Additional street parking can be found in the surrounding area.
Rest Stop
Maytah Café - washrooms & warmth
Silver Spire Church - washrooms & warmth
Rapid Relief Team - hot chocolate, coffee and snacks
Would you like to be a rest stop sponsor? Reach out to our CNOY team at cnoy@startmeupniagara.ca for full details.
Post-Event Meal
St. Catharines Walkers : Join us for an evening of activities and fun.
4 pm MEET- Check in /Photo booth/and lots more
4:45 pm MUSTER Gather for opening remarks
5 pm MOVE – Send off
6 pm MUNCH -- Yummy hot treats
6:30 pm MUSIC & MORE – Stay for the some family fun post walk. DJ Nits, delicious food and more!
7:30 MOSEY Goodbye and see you in 2026!
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!
2024 CNOY Photos
Special thanks to our many amazing volunteer photographers!
Contact Us
CNOY St. Catharines 2025
The CNOY Team Participant & Donor Services
Toll Free 1.877.743.3413 / Phone 519.603.2250
Email stcatharines@cnoy.org