Kindred Walks for Homelessness Awareness in Coldest Night of the Year

We know that food security and homelessness is a steady and growing issue facing Canadians, including people in our own communities. As Kindred Credit Union is committed to creating peaceful, just, and prosperous communities, we participate alongside local charities and organizations at events that raise awareness of these growing concerns.

One such event is Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY), a family-friendly walk, in participating communities across Canada to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Local charities and organizations sign up to participate and then partner with local businesses to raise money and awareness.

CNOY is a point in time each year when tens of thousands of Canadians step outside the warmth to show compassion in their communities. Last year, Kindred’s first time participating in CNOY helped raise several thousand dollars while across Canada, CNOY charities and organizations raised $12,347,124 nationally with 36,000 walkers supporting charities in 182 locations.

This year, CNOY took place on Saturday, February 24, and Kindred teammates walked to support local organizations. Seven teams representing Kindred branches and Head Office, made up of 66 walkers, participated and raised a collective $14,330. All proceeds go directly to the teams’ chosen charity or organization, many of which are Kindred Charitable Fund Recipients or community partners. See the list below to learn more about each and their work:

• Leamington Community Hope Centre
• North Perth Housing Homelessness Action
• Ray of Hope Community Centre
• Supportive Housing of Waterloo
• Wilmot Family Resource Centre
• Woolwich Community Services
• Youth Unlimited/YFC Elgin County in St. Thomas

The goal of CNOY2024 was to experience the negative temperatures just like those who are homeless, to understand and empathize with the environmental struggles they encounter. On Saturday, the temperature was -5 Celsius with a northerly wind, creating a windchill. Kindred team members only had to experience that for a few hours – compared to those who are homeless, who experience it every day during our Ontarian winters.

Since 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised over $75,000,000 across Canada in 190 Canadian communities. Through our relationships with community organizations and participations in events like CNOY, Kindred is committed to benefitting our communities through fundraising and awareness of concerning issues like affordable housing and food security.

Thank you to all our team members, families, friends, and community leaders who donated, volunteered, or came out in support of Coldest Night of the Year. Your actions inspire all our teammates and members to live out their values in visible ways! Coldest Night of the Year 2025 will take place on February 22, 2025 – we hope to see you there!