The three local fundraising walks raised close to $300,000 for agencies aiding the homeless
Mar 05, 2026 •
Kate Hahn and Heather Haley of Team Frosty Friends were part of the 122 walkers who joined the Tillsonburg Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 28. Over $50,000 was collected for Oxford United Way. SUBMITTED
On Saturday, hundreds of individuals took to the streets in Oxford County to stand in solidarity with those “experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness.”
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The three Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walks in Oxford County brought together nearly $300,000 for local organizations dedicated to assisting some of the area’s most vulnerable residents.
The Woodstock walk kicked off at College Avenue secondary school and raised a remarkable $185,511.60, ranking it among the top fundraisers in Canada. Nearly 500 walkers from 77 teams participated in two- and five-kilometre routes, led by the Maranatha Walks team which raised over $24,000.
“I knew that people are really passionate about this cause and all they needed… was to be tied together by an event,” said organizer Scott Mc Kague in a video interview. “Coldest Night of the Year lets that happen.”
“Once the groundwork was laid, people just showed up.”
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The funds raised from the Woodstock walk will support programming at Operation Sharing, a charity that “operates and advocates on the belief that poverty, food insecurity, inequality, health and community are all interconnected.”
The Woodstock-based agency provides various programs aimed at addressing persistent stigmas surrounding poverty while running Oxford County’s only overnight homeless shelters.
The partnered Ingersoll and Tillsonburg walks had more than 275 participants who collectively gathered $104,000 for United Way Oxford’s transitional housing programs.
The Tillsonburg Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser featured 122 walkers across 22 teams along with 31 volunteers who raised $52,000 for local charities serving individuals facing hurt, hunger and homelessness.
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The top individual fundraiser was Kristofer Layman from Rotary Club of Tillsonburg with a total of $4 ,325. The Rotary Club team also topped group fundraising efforts.
All proceeds from both events will support Tillsonburg and Ingersoll Light Houses , which have been instrumental in helping people secure permanent housing.
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Since opening its doors in2023, Tillsonburg Light House has assisted31individuals through its transitional program by equipping them with skills and connections required for finding stable housing. Ingersoll Light House opened its doors in April2025, already supporting14individuals.
“Transitional housing has become an essential addition to our small community , filling a critical gap in support when local services are limited. When we invest our resources into a housing-first approach , we’re investing in proven solutions that help residents regain stability while staying connected with their community,” Lindsay Wilson stated as community impact manager at United Way.This has not loaded yet,
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The idea behind Coldest Night of the Year is straightforward : Participants walk together on chilly nights during Canada’s winter months so they can gain insight into what it’s like being on the streets. Since it started nationally back in2011, with just two locations , it has expanded into over200 Canadian towns and cities raising more than$75 million for local initiatives and supports.
<p As living costs soar alongside an ongoing housing crisis recently witnessed an increase number homeless Canadians each year estimates indicate nearly60 ,000 Canadians experience homelessness each night according Statistics Canada. Next year’s events for Coldest Night are planned for Saturday Feb.(27) ).Share this article within your social network
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