Winter can be harsh, especially for neighbours in our community who are facing hunger, isolation, or homelessness. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Links2Care and the Georgetown Bread Basket invite the community to come together for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY), a family-friendly winter walk that raises funds for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness right here in Georgetown.
The Coldest Night of the Year is a national movement, with events taking place in nearly 200 communities across Canada. Georgetown is proud to once again be part of this powerful initiative, walking together to show care, compassion, and solidarity with those who face the cold every day.
What Is the Coldest Night of the Year?
CNOY is an evening walk held during the coldest time of the year, offering participants a small but meaningful glimpse into what it can feel like to walk through winter without the security of housing, food, or support. While the walk itself is short, either 2 km or 5 km, the impact is lasting.
Funds raised through the Georgetown walk directly support the essential programs and services provided by Links2Care and the Georgetown Bread Basket, ensuring vulnerable individuals and families can access food, care, and connection when they need it most.
New Event Location in Georgetown for 2026
This year, the Georgetown Coldest Night of the Year walk will begin and end at a NEW location:
St. George’s Anglican Church
60 Guelph Street, Georgetown
All walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters are asked to gather at this new start point on event day. We’re excited to welcome the community to this central and accessible location as we kick off the 2026 walk together.
What to Expect on Event Day
- Check-in begins at 4:00 p.m.
- Walk start time: 5:00 p.m.
- Choose between a 2 km or 5 km walk route through the community
- Warm drinks available at rest stops
- A post-walk community gathering with a hot bowl of chili at the finish line
- A strong community presence, including the Mayor of Halton Hills and other local leaders
Participants who raise $150 or more (or $75 for youth) will receive the iconic CNOY toque, a symbol of compassion worn proudly across the country on walk night.
For answers to the most common questions about the Coldest Night of the Year event, visit their official FAQ page, where participants can learn how to register, manage pledges, and prepare for walk day.
A Growing Local Impact
2026 marks the seventh year that Links2Care and the Georgetown Bread Basket have partnered to host CNOY in Georgetown. This year’s goals reflect the growing strength of our community:
– 240 expected walkers
– 25 teams
– $64,000 fundraising goal
Where Your Support Goes
Funds raised through the Coldest Night of the Year directly support:
– Links2Care, which provides multi-service support to seniors, adults with disabilities, children, and families, helping individuals access care, build connections, and live with greater independence.
– Georgetown Bread Basket, a fully volunteer-run food bank dedicated to ensuring no one in our community goes hungry while fostering dignity, equality, and hope.
Together, these organizations have served the Georgetown community for over 30 years, providing food, support services, and hope during times of hardship, especially in winter, when needs are high and charitable giving often slows.
Mayor Lawlor Proclaims February 28 as Coldest Night of the Year Day in Halton Hills
Mayor Ann Lawlor has officially proclaimed February 28, 2026, as Coldest Night of the Year Day!
Let’s come together as a community to donate generously and walk in support of our neighbours in need. Every step makes a difference!
How You Can Get Involved
There are many ways to be part of the Coldest Night of the Year:
- Register as an individual walker
- Form or join a team with friends, family, coworkers, or community groups
- Donate to support a walker, team, or the event overall
- Volunteer on event day to help with registration, route support, rest stops, or hospitality
- Become a sponsor and show your organization’s commitment to a caring, connected Georgetown
Every step taken and every dollar raised sends a powerful message: no one in our community should face the cold alone.
👉 Register, donate, or learn more:
https://cnoy.org/location/georgetown
We hope you’ll join us on February 28 as we walk together for warmth, dignity, and hope.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Coldest Night of the Year is made possible through the generosity of local businesses and community partners. We are currently seeking sponsors who want to make a meaningful impact in Georgetown by supporting people experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness.
Sponsorship provides vital funding for the essential programs and services offered by Links2Care and the Georgetown Bread Basket, while also offering valuable visibility and recognition before, during, and after the event. By becoming a sponsor, your organization demonstrates a strong commitment to compassion, community, and caring for neighbours in need.
Whether you are a small business, community organization, or corporate partner, there are sponsorship opportunities available to fit a variety of levels and goals. We invite you to join us in ensuring that no one in our community faces the cold alone.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please download the Sponsorship Package or send us an email at [email protected]
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are incredibly grateful to the sponsors who help make the Georgetown Coldest Night of the Year possible.
Lead Sponsor – 2026: Mark Douglas, Realtor
We are proud to welcome back Mark Douglas, Realtor, as the Lead Sponsor for 2026.
With over 30 years of experience in the home and real estate industry, Mark Douglas is a trusted professional known for his integrity, market expertise, and client-first approach. His continued generosity and leadership support play a vital role in making the Georgetown Coldest Night of the Year possible and in strengthening local efforts to address hunger, hurt, and homelessness.
We are grateful for Mark’s partnership and commitment to building a caring, connected community.
Supporting Sponsor – 2026: Atura Power
We’re so thankful to Atura Power for becoming a Supporting Sponsor for our event. Their generosity and dedication to our community help us create real, positive impact.
Thank you for standing with us and supporting this important cause, we couldn’t do it without partners like you!
Learn more about Atura Power here.
Rest Stop Sponsor – 2026: Cargill
We are so grateful that Cargill has once again agreed to be a Rest Stop Sponsor for our event! Your support helps keep our walkers energized and motivated as they take steps to support our neighbours in need.
We can’t thank you enough for your generosity and commitment to our community, it truly makes a difference!
Learn more about Cargill and their amazing products here.
Route Sponsor – 2026: Marketplace Dental Centre
Huge thank you to Georgetown Marketplace Dental for being a route sponsor for CNOY this year!
We’re so grateful for local businesses like this that step up to support our community and causes that matter.
Georgetown Marketplace Dental is all about caring for smiles and people, and we’re proud to have them on board. Be sure to check out their website to learn more about their team and services.
Media Sponsor – 2026: MaxxCharge
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our media sponsor for CNOY 2026. We’re proud to partner once again with MaxxCharge, a team that helps businesses elevate their presence through digital marketing, event displays, and innovative charging solutions that keep people connected.
Their support plays an important role in making Coldest Night of the Year possible and in bringing our community together to make a meaningful impact.
Goods Sponsor – 2026: Terra Cotta Cookies
We would like to thank Terracotta Cookies for their continued support of Coldest Night of the Year. A beloved staple in Georgetown and a crowd favourite, their delicious cookies bring comfort, warmth, and smiles to the community on CNOY.
We’re grateful for their generosity and for helping make the event even sweeter.
Goods Sponsor – 2026: Freshco Georgetown
Thank you to FreshCo. Georgetown – Guelph & Sinclair for not only participating in CNOY, but also for being a goods sponsor and generously donating the buns that pair perfectly with the delicious chili after the event!
Support like this truly makes a difference and helps bring everyone together after a cold night of walking. We’re grateful to have FreshCo involved and supporting our community in such a meaningful way.
Be sure to follow FreshCo Georgetown on social media.
Thanks again for helping make CNOY such a great experience!
Service Sponsor – 2026: Greg Coman Photography
Thank you to Greg Coman for being our photography sponsor for CNOY!
Greg has been an incredible supporter of CNOY, he also joined us in 2025 and did a phenomenal job capturing moments from last year’s Coldest Night of the Year event. His photos truly reflect the heart, energy, and community behind this cause.
Be sure to check out Greg’s work here.
You can also view the photos from last year’s event here.
We’re grateful for your talent and continued support, Greg!
Goods Sponsor – 2026: Balo Balloons
A HUGE shoutout to Balo Balloons!
Thanks to their incredible generosity, our event will be bursting with beautiful balloons.
Balo Balloons always brings the magic, turning any space into a fun, colorful celebration. We can’t thank them enough for helping make our event extra special and so memorable for our community.
Go check out their amazing creations here and see why we’re over the moon about them!
Service Sponsor – 2026: St. Andrew’s United Church
Thank you to St. Andrew’s United Church for generously lending us their space as a rest stop for CNOY.
They are ongoing supporters of Links2Care, and we are so grateful for their continued generosity and partnership. We’re also thankful for the many members of St. Andrew’s who participate in the walk and fundraise year after year, your support truly means so much.
To learn more about St. Andrew’s United Church and their work in the community, visit their website.
We couldn’t do this without community partners like you. Thank you for always showing up!
Community Sponsors
We are thankful for the support of our community sponsors, whose contributions help ensure the success of this event and the continued delivery of essential services throughout the year.
CNOY FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers
If you’re looking for more details, many of the most common questions are already answered in the CNOY FAQs.
Take a moment to check them out; you’ll likely find exactly what you’re looking for!
👉 https://en.cnoy.org/faq
Photography Disclaimer
Links2Care reserves the right to photograph and record its events, including both in-person and virtual activities. From time to time, these images and recordings may be used in Links2Care publications, marketing materials, social media, and other communications.
By attending or registering for a Links2Care event, you acknowledge and understand that your image may be captured and used at Links2Care’s discretion.
