Sudbury's Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser goes Saturday

Hundreds of people in Sudbury will be walking downtown in the bitter cold this Saturday in an event called the "Coldest Night of the Year."

It's a walk to raise awareness and funds for homeless and vulnerable people in the city.

The executive director of the Samaritan Centre, which is organizing the walk, said Sudbury is one of 80 cities taking part in the national event.

Kevin Serviss said the money raised is sorely needed.

“The demands are many, especially this time of year. The Elgin Street Mission is one of the warming stations that the city has for the cold weather alerts, so they are one of the agencies that has been open because of the cold weather,” he said.

“The centre is open 24-hours-a-day to serve all the meals, the clothing depot, the showers, the laundry facilities, the housing referrals, and the medical appointments. All of that take place there.”

The centre runs the Elgin St. Mission, the Corner Clinic and the Blue Door Soup Kitchen.

Serviss said this is the third year for the event and already 30 teams have signed up.

Registration begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Rainbow Centre.

For more information, phone 705-669-0111.