Funds from the annual event go towards food, shelter and resources at St. Vincent Place

Tonight’s Coldest Night of the Year event nearly hit its target of raising $125,000 for those experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness in the city.

The annual fundraiser brought in more than $113,000 for St. Vincent Place on Saturday, due in no small part to the efforts of the more than 230 people who took to the streets for this year’s event. 

St. Vincent Place is a non-profit organization that provides several services for community members in need, including a food bank, soup kitchen, transitional residence and its Lunches for Learning program. 

“Every little bit helps build awareness of the need in our community, and how St. Vincent Place is meeting those needs every day,” CNOY co-event director Jennifer Sarlo said in her opening remarks.

“I want to thank all our volunteers, because without you, this would not happen.” 

Tens of thousands of people are participating in Coldest Night of the Year events in roughly 200 locations across Canada — including communities in northern Ontario. 

The Catholic Women’s League of Canada has teams taking part in Coldest Night of the Year walks across northeastern Ontario, so it only made sense for Pat Carter to assemble her own fundraising team here in the Sault.  

“I’ve been doing this walk for about 12 years, so I am totally on board with this,” Carter told SooToday.

“I’m just happy to have some new friends join us.”

Coldest Night of the Year has raised more than $1 million for St. Vincent Place since the annual fundraiser began in the Sault 14 years ago.Â