On February 25th, Oshawa & area will be walking for THE REFUGE - brave the cold, wind and snow and join your friends and family while raising $40,000 for the hungry, hurting and homeless in our community.
In fact, should The Refuge reach its goal of raising $40,000 that evening, the Executive Director, Clarence Keesman, will wear shorts everywhere (and we mean everywhere including chuch, grocery shopping and meetings) for the entire month of March, regardless of the weather!
Start/Finish Location View Google Map >
The Coldest Night of the Year starts at Life Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 33 Olive Ave., Oshawa, ON L1H 2N7. There is a lot of good parking at and around the church, but be sure to give yourself time to drive through what could be some late winter weather.
The evening finishes at The Refuge with a great meal.
Registration/Check-In 4:00 pm
Registration opens at 4:00 pm. Walkers must bring in:
> All cash and cheques payable to "Coldest Night of the Year"
> Pledge sheet with all donor data filled out completely and neatly OR
> Post all pledges of cash and cheques online in your personal fundraising page and print off the "My Donor List" and bring with cash or cheques**.
> Bring a signed WAIVER FORM available online under TOOLS / FORMS on the main site.
Note: walkers who raise $150 (adults) or $75 (youth 18 and under) do NOT have to pay the $25 registration fee.
Opening Ceremonies 5:00 pm
Route Closes 8:00 pm
We won't begin to send out walkers till just after opening ceremonies at 5:15. Depending on weather and sidewalk conditions we'll likely launch a few teams at a time as to thin out the pack.
Lunch 6:00 pm
A post-walk dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and homemade hearty vegetable soup is served between 6:00 and 8:30 pm. All walkers are invited to join us after to warm up, enjoy some delicious home cooking, perhaps a sweet or two, and a nice warm drink.
What to Bring/Wear
Who knows what the weather will be like on February 25th? It could be warmer than expected or cold and blowy. The key is to come prepared while keeping an eye on the weather channel. Bring good walking shoes/boots, hats, gloves, maybe a scarf and a wind-breaking jacket and sweater.
Lost + Found
A lost and found / welcome desk area will be set up so if you drop a mitten or scarf you'll know where to ask for it to start - and if you find some extra stuff lying around be sure to drop them in.
Route Details
Route specifics are still being reviewed and approved by staff and city officials. Check in later to see maps and routes posted.
Rest Stops
5km route Rest Stop - approximately 2.3km away at The Great Canadian Popcorn Company. Coffee and Hot Chocolate are provided -- just show your flashing red Refuge button to get it.
10km route Rest Stops - one at The Great Canadian Popcorn Company (see above) and a second at Calvary Baptist Church were there will be coffee and hot chocolate as well as some yummy snacks, restrooms and heat!!!
Route Safety
We will have volunteers at key corners and intersections pointing the way and cheering you on. As well, there will be some friendly rest stop volunteers and support vehicles keeping an eye on everyone along the route.
Printable Maps: 
