More than $1 million raised in 'Coldest Night of the Year' walks across Simcoe County
Communities across the region participated in the Canada-wide fundraiser 'Coldest Night of the Year' on Saturday.
Hundreds marched throughout their community to raise money for local charities that serve those experiencing homelessness, hunger, and crisis.
According to cnoy.org, two communities finished in the top 10 for the most funds raised nationwide.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Collingwood finished sixth, surpassing their $190,000 goal in support of Home Horizon and the Barbara Weider House for youth at risk of homelessness.
Orillia finished seventh, raising more than $180,000 in support of The Lighthouse Orillia, which will fund emergency shelter beds, supportive housing units, and other shelter services.
In Barrie's walk, more than $70,000 was raised for Youth Haven, which provides youth in Simcoe County with shelter, food, counselling, and referral services.
The cold weather was appropriate for the 300-plus participants in attendance.
"This is the experience of a lot of our youth," said Lucy Gowers, Youth Haven's executive director. "When they have nowhere to go, and they're walking through the cold trying to find someplace warm, this is exactly what they will endure."
Gowers was pleased with the overwhelming support her organization received from the walk.
"There's a community behind [the youth] who care for them," she added. "They want to do whatever they can to support them on their journey to transforming their lives for the better."
Youth Haven partners, such as Jasmine Botter from Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, were among the walkers.
"It's so important to bring all the partner organizations together," stated Botter.
Three other communities in the Simcoe County region finished in the top 20 for most funds raised in Canada.
Gravenhurst finished 11th, Newmarket finished 13th, and Orangeville finished 19th.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.