“It’s unique, bringing people from all across the city from all different walks of life to support the same cause.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

After three years, Capital City Mission and Jericho Road are calling the community together again to walk through Lowertown for The Coldest Night of the Year.

The walkathon event is the largest annual fundraiser for both ministries. They hosted virtual walks since 2020, but they are thrilled to invite people to join them for the full experience again, this year.

“We are really excited about it, we have a lot of walkers signed up so it’s going to be a good event,” says Jenna Williams, development coordinator for Capital City Mission. “It’s a really wonderful way to engage our supporters to see some of the issues on our streets and really break down some barriers.”

Participants sign up in teams to raise money and walk together. The family-friendly event begins at 4 p.m., February 25, with either a 2- or 5-kilometre walk through Lowertown, all wearing The Coldest Night of the Year toques. So far this year they have 38 teams registered.

“After everyone has done their walk, we gather back for a really warm chili meal, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies to celebrate the work of these two organizations,” Williams adds. “I think this year is unique. It feels like there is more energy behind it, there’s more of a sense that people really want to gather and to get back together again in support of this issue.”

“It is set at a unique time of the year for a walkathon that really highlights the reality for many vulnerable people in our community,” Photo courtesy of Capital City Mission.

One thing that Williams say makes the event special is that a lot of the community the ministries serve join them for the walk and for the meal.

“It’s really just a fun and cool event. It’s unique bringing people from all across the city from all different walks of life to support the same cause.”

Frank, a community member at Capital City Mission, adds, “It’s a great cause that gets the community together for one day. It raises money for people living on the streets, people who need help. I think people should get out there and have some fun.”

The money raised gets split between the two ministries. At Jericho Road, it helps cover their operational costs to continue offering addiction recovery and discipleship programming. Capital City Mission uses it to run their daytime drop-in centre, which serves over 150 meals a day and offers a warm, indoor space during the winter.

Both ministries also have a strong Gospel focus, with Bible studies, discipleship, and chaplaincy work, but The Coldest Night of the Year doesn’t just help those in need.

“It is set at a unique time of the year for a walkathon that really highlights the reality for many vulnerable people in our community,” adds a spokesperson from Jericho Road. “They line up at food banks, spend the day outside while shelters are closed, and face challenges that many people take for granted.”

“It is a walk that really helps build compassion and empathy for people struggling, as the route travels through some areas of our city that are hit the hardest with poverty and homelessness.”