‘Coldest Night’ fundraising walk for Maritime homeless set for Saturday

Maritimers prepare to participate in the Coldest Night of the Year Walk – in support to the region’s homeless.

Coldest Night of the Year is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Nova Scotia.

The annual walk to raise funds and awareness for the homeless takes place on Saturday.

“For us, it’s basically about identifying the fact that a lot of the people we do serve do spend a lot of time outside,” said Cherry Laxton, chief operating officer for Souls Harbour, on Tuesday.

Officials at Souls Harbour in Cape Breton say the issue has only become more apparent in the two years since the not-for-profit expanded to the Island with drop-in locations in Sydney Mines and New Waterford.

“People coming in looking for tents and sleeping bags and outdoor clothing and winter boots, obviously that need has grown exponentially over the past couple of years,” Laxton said of the demand at the FreeMart at their Sydney Mines location.

Across the Maritimes, nearly 3,500 people took part in Coldest Night of the Year walks in 2025.

One of the biggest gatherings was in Fredericton, where about $145,000 was raised.

Organizers say the three Nova Scotia walks – in Sydney, Halifax and Bridgewater – typically bring in about $100,000.

The money stays in the communities where it was raised – going toward programs like Hope House in Point Edward, N.S.

“It is a six-month recovery program for women struggling with addictions,” said Holly Dwyer, farm facilitator at Hope House and event coordinator for the Coldest Night of the Year walk in Sydney.

“It’s important to me to raise funds and awareness for the homeless, hungry and hurting in Cape Breton and it makes a big difference.”

Walks will take place all across the country on Feb. 28.

The Cape Breton event – which kicks off at 5 p.m. - is well on its way to reaching its $40,000 fundraising goal.

“People are excited,” Laxton said. “People are happy to be a part of something, feeling like they are making a difference.”

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