By Loran Ellero-Dionne (left) and Khrystine Waked (right), Rx2018 (student ambassadors at the event)
On Saturday, February 20, the School of Pharmacy was proud to work with the Ray of Hope Community Centre to provide a comfortable rest stop for the annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) 5km or 10km walk. Providing over 650 participating community members with shelter, warm drinks, and snacks at the halfway point, University of Waterloo Pharmacy student ambassadors connected with our community, offering words of encouragement, and answering questions about student life at the University’s downtown Kitchener campus.
Held in over 100 communities across the country, the CNOY is a family-friendly walk that aims to raise money and awareness for the hungry and homeless. Growing its audience every year, the CNOY walk has raised an impressive 7.9 million dollars through local community charities across Canada since 2011.
Beginning in 2012, the School of Pharmacy has partnered with the CNOY walk for the last four years, providing the use of the building and opening its doors to the community at large. Pharmacy staff and students are eager in their pursuit to give back to the community in which they reside, recognizing the need for well-rounded future leaders that prioritize state-of-the-art education and impactful volunteerism.
By spreading Waterloo pride into downtown Kitchener, the creation of the University’s Health Science Campus in 2009 has brought new opportunities for community engagement. Through their partnership with the Ray of Hope Community Centre, the School of Pharmacy continues to enhance the health and well-being of residents in Waterloo Region by taking action on complex social issues like hunger and homelessness, doing their part to help generate awareness and offer innovative solutions for our community.