Habitat for Humanity Sarnia/Lambton is hoping residents will join for their first Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) event, led by an HGTV personality and renovation expert.
Damon Bennett and his wife Chana have joined the local campaign as team captains and will lead the CNOY walk on February 26, 2022.
CEO of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter David Waters said the opportunity to host the walk and partner with Bennett happened suddenly.
"We saw that Blue Sea Foundation was running the CNOY fundraisers with other Habitat's across the country so we contacted them and they had an opening here locally so we jumped on board," he said. "I think the community knows what we do and how much we help and obviously having a personality like Damon can't hurt our cause, so we're grateful for his participation."
Waters said the goal is to raise $25,000 for the organization's build program.
The two or five kilometre walk will start at Big Family Brewing Company on Harbour Road in Sarnia. Check-in will start at 4 p.m. and opening remarks will be made at 5 p.m.
"We're looking right now at recruiting walkers so they can recruit team members and they can each raise money towards their team goal," said Waters. "There's no registration for anyone to walk. If they don't want to raise money, they can just come and join us."
Earlier this year, Habitat for Humanity was working on seven active builds as some projects were running behind schedule.
River City Vineyard will also host a CNOY walk this year. The church and community centre operates a homeless shelter, food bank, shower program, and community garden. The centre is in the process of expanding its shelter to accommodate more beds.
CNOY is a nationwide fundraiser organized by Blue Sea Foundation in partnership with various charitable organizations that support those who experience homelessness, hurt, or hunger.
