Waterloo Pharmacy opened its doors on February 24, 2024, for the annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk, hosted by Ray of Hope Community Centre, to raise funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness, hurt and hunger. Walkers complete a 2km or 5km walk along signed routes.
This year they surpassed their goal, raising $230,164 with 709 walkers. Across Canada, the event surpassed its national goal and raised $13,417,490 in 190 locations.
Waterloo Pharmacy is proud to continue to host a halfway rest spot at the School in the heart of downtown Kitchener for the event. Volunteers provide walkers participating with a rest stop, warm beverages and snacks while pharmacy staff and student ambassadors connect with the local community members, cheering them on to keep walking.
The walk aims is to bring awareness to the hardships people experience from homelessness and poverty with the increased homelessness population in Kitchener.
Since 2011, CNOY has raised over $75,000,000 across 190 communities in Canada. All net proceeds support the local communities in which they were raised.
Waterloo Pharmacy will continue this tradition in the coming years, providing support to this great cause.