KENORA – The Coldest Night of the Year is mainly a walking event, but Mosswood Adventures and Rentals has added biking to the mix.
An ice bike race is on tap for noon this Saturday, Feb. 24, on the Lake of the Woods ice road en route to Windigo Island.
The Coldest Night of the Year is an annual event held in cities across Canada to raise funds for organizations that help people experiencing homelessness. This year it’s on Feb. 24.
Participants walk as individuals or team members to support the work of agencies assisting the unhoused.
Kenora’s Coldest Night, hosted by the Fellowship Centre and Jubilee Church, has a fundraising goal of $32,000 and was about two-thirds the way there by noon Wednesday. A separate Coldest Night event held by Grace Ministries will take place in Thunder Bay.
Information on local events and links for registration can be found at cnoy.org.
This is the second year that Mosswood Adventures has pitched in with an ice bike racing event.
Business owner Vic Moss explained in an interview Wednesday that “I reached out to the Fellowship Centre (in 2023) and said ‘not only do I want to participate in the walk but I think it’d be really cool to have a fun ice bike race to support the event and get some attention to what you’re doing.’”
Moss feels a personal connection to the cause.
“I used to work for a homeless shelter in Winnipeg,” she said. “So I know that the need is there. I know that, and especially because I work outside in the cold.”
Kenora’s Coldest Night of the Year walk starts at 5 p.m. at the Fellowship Centre, 208 Water St.
Community and business support for this year’s walk has been encouraging, said Yvonne Bearbull, executive director, Fellowship Centre.
“And I’m really thankful for the volunteers this year, because we’ve just been really swamped with work,” she added.
“This means a lot to us.”
