Milton Community Groups Prepare for the Coldest Night of the Year Walk

Two Milton-based organizations are getting ready to brave the cold as they prepare for the 2026 Coldest Night of the Year walk.

Milton Transitional Housing (MTH) and Re: Soul Youth Centre (SYC), along with their supporters, will take part in the annual fundraising walk on Feb. 28. Funds raised through the campaign will directly support essential programs, including MTH’s rent-geared-to-income housing and SYC’s youth-focused services.

According to Donna Danielli, Executive Director of Milton Transitional Housing, the fundraiser plays a vital role in sustaining and growing their programs. “The money doesn’t just support the clients we currently serve—it also gives us the opportunity to expand and help more people,” she said. Danielli added that the walk is designed to be welcoming for all ages, featuring music along with warm soup and chili for participants.

At Re: Soul Youth Centre, the funds help ensure all programs remain free and accessible. SYC Director Micheal Burns explained that removing financial barriers is a core priority. “All our programs and services for young people and families are free because we don’t want cost to stop anyone from accessing our drop-in programs,” he said. Donations also go toward replacing and upgrading equipment, including gaming consoles, sports gear, and kitchen appliances.

In addition to covering facility maintenance, staff wages, and daily drop-in programming, SYC is planning to launch a free lunch program for teenagers in late February or early March. The program will be open to all high school-aged students.

Youth worker Nick McDonald highlighted the importance of the initiative. “Most high school students don’t have much money of their own, and not everyone has the same support at home,” he said. “We’re starting with the goal of feeding 60 to 80 students, but we hope it grows well beyond that.”

The Coldest Night of the Year walk has been a winter tradition in Canada since 2011, aiming to give participants a small glimpse into the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness during winter nights. What began with just two locations—Toronto and Kitchener—has grown into a national movement with nearly 40,000 participants and more than $75 million raised.

Both Milton organizations have set ambitious fundraising goals. Milton Transitional Housing is aiming to raise $80,000, while Re: Soul Youth Centre has set a target of $50,000. Several teams and individual walkers have already registered to support the cause.

Participants can choose between 2 km and 5 km walking routes. SYC walkers will gather at 900 Nipissing Rd. with a 4 a.m. check-in, while MTH participants will meet at the Milton Sports Centre banquet room at 605 Santa Maria Rd.

Those interested in joining the walk or supporting the fundraiser can register through MTH and SYC’s pages on the Coldest Night of the Year website, where more details are available.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article has been gathered from local news sources. Please refer to the provided references for verification. Click Here. 

Feel free to reach out to us at news@miltonbaithak.ca or follow us on WhatsApp, with any news tips, story ideas, or information you'd like to share. As a dedicated platform focused on advertising and curating news centered around MILTON, we welcome submissions related to businesses, news within the business sector, or inquiries about other people. Our goal is to assist you, whether you're interested in featuring your business or sharing relevant news.