Meaford’s Coldest Night of the Year 2025 event has raised more than $6,200.
“We did it with YOU! We raised over $6,200 at the Coldest Night of the Year 2025 event. The Meaford Rotary Club, Meaford Rotary House, and United Way Bruce Grey thank the community of Meaford for a tremendous success delivered through last February’s Coldest Night of the Year. It’s not just a walk…it’s a movement!” organizers announced in a media release issued last week.
On Saturday, February 22, when the snowbanks were more than three feet high and winter’s bite was in the air, more than one hundred Meafordites gathered to raise awareness and funds for members in our community who often wonder where they will find relief from hurt, hunger, or homelessness.
The funds were raised by weather-braving walkers and corporate sponsors: Bruce Power and in-kind sponsors The Dam Pub, Jake’s Grab and Go, Godard’s Independent Grocer, Lite 99.3, The Kitchen, and Believers Coffee. The Coldest Night of the Year raised $19,387 to support Meaford Rotary Club and the United Way Bruce Grey initiatives.
Net funds are divided up between Meaford Rotary House and United Way Bruce Grey for specific Meaford-focused initiatives.
The $6,200 will support Meaford Rotary House, which operates Meaford Rotary House Outreach Services, the Meaford Rotary Thrift Shop, and the Meaford Foodbank & Outreach.
This year the funds will cover the costs of the Meaford Rotary House Outreach Room, which began in 2023 with a generous donation from Tim Fischer and Kim Gellatly and the Owen Sound Leon’s Furniture store. The Outreach Room is now the home to counsellors for women who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence, Footcare for the elderly, Registered Nursing services, Supportive Outreach Services (SOS), and Victim Services Bruce Grey. All the services give hope to our most vulnerable community in Meaford. Otherwise, these services may not be able to be offered in our community. Because of generous fund-raising efforts, and donations of all who participated in the Coldest Night of the Year, the Meaford Rotary House Outreach Room can be offered rent free for services for our vulnerable community members.
“Thank you to all involved in the Coldest Night of the Year 2025! The participant survey said it best: when asked what made the event great for them, respondents said, ‘The People, the Cause.’ Our community is even better when we see, recognize, and try to meet the diverse needs of the whole community,” said Peggy McIntosh, CNOY Event Coordinator 2025 and Meaford Rotary House Outreach Lead.
The Meaford CNOY funds fuel one of United Way Bruce Grey’s most important missions: ‘Turning Poverty into Possibility’. Real, lasting change is delivered back to Meaford by fighting food insecurity, keeping lights and heat on for families, addressing issues for people at risk of homelessness, supplying low-income families with school needs for their children.
“Snow, wind, even freezing rain does not stop the CNOY Meaford walkers from stepping up to show their neighbours, who may struggle – they are not alone. Every step, every dollar, every moment shared is a powerful reminder that Meaford shows up!” said United Way Bruce Grey’s Kristy Andre.
Mark your calendar for year three: Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) 2026 on Saturday, February 28. For information on how you can build a team or sponsorship packages contact Peggy McIntosh, CNOY Event Coordinator 2025 and Meaford Rotary House Outreach Lead, pegshouse@gmail.com
Visit the Meaford CNOY website to see pictures of your friends and neighbours during the event: https://cnoy.org/location/meaford.
