St. Catharines
Start Me Up Niagara
6 Walkers|2 Teams|4 Donors|1 Sponsor|$5,000 Today|108 Days Left
The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there. Join us on February 27, 2027 - together every winter!
About Start Me Up Niagara
Start Me Up Niagara supports individuals and families facing significant life challenges such as compromised mental health, substance misuse, poverty, homelessness, barriers to employment and food insecurity. We offer wrap around services and programs to individuals who face significant life challenges to provide them with opportunities to stabilize, participate and grow.
-- Our Vision -- A society where all people are included, healthy, and self-sufficient.
Join us on Saturday, February 28, 2026 for the Coldest Night of the Year and you can help us raise vital support for those in need right here in our community.
St. Catharines Scoreboard
Are you thrashing the competition (for a good cause)? Find out here! Stats are updated every 15 minutes. See how you stack up on the national scoreboard >
Community Sponsors
St. Catharines (Start Me Up Niagara) is super grateful for our fantastic 2027 sponsors! View all sponsors >
Event Day Details
Save the date - CNOY Day is February 27, 2027!
Start/Finish Google Map
221 Glendale Avenue
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2T 2K9
🎉 Bundle up, St. Catharines! We’re celebrating 15 years of walking together!
Join Start Me Up Niagara for Coldest Night of the Year 2027. Choose our 2 km or 5 km lived experience routes and walk in support of neighbours facing hurt, hunger and homelessness. We’ll also have an indoor walking option for anyone with mobility challenges.
And here’s a little hint about the finish line 🎳 Kingpin St. Catharines is serving up our post-walk meal!
Round up your team, earn your toque and come celebrate 15 years of St. Catharines showing up for its neighbours
Schedule
- 4:00 pm: Meet Check-in
- 4:45 pm: Muster Gather for Opening Remarks
- 5:00 pm: Move Send-off
- 6:00 pm: Munch Light meal served
- 7:00 pm: Mosey Thank You! See you in 2028!
Not able to join us in person at the Main Event? We hope you'll register, fundraise and walk offsite with friends and family.
Local Details
Parking
The Niagara Pen Centre has lots of free parking. Park near the Kingpin St. Catharines entrance.
Rest Stop
Sta y tuned for more details.
Post-Event Meal
Grab a hot coffee or hot chocolate from Starbucks before you head out, then warm up with another cup when you get back! After the walk, join your fellow walkers for a delicious meal provided by Kingpin St. Catharines.
Ready for a little friendly competition? Keep the fun going with a round of mini golf or a game of bowling. Watch for details closer to event day on how to pre-book for your team!
Route Details
- Route Distances: Check out the maps below to see where we will be walking.
- Rest stop: Keep an eye out for opportunities to rest and refresh with yummy snacks along the route.
- Signage: Routes will be well-signed with our bold blue CNOY signs.
- Route Support: Route marshals, rest stop hosts, and support vehicle drivers provide support along the route.
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
- No Pets: We love our little furballs like you do, but pets are not permitted at the Coldest Night of the Year except for approved and trained service animals. Read more about our pet policy >
Check-In
- All walkers participating at the Main Event on Saturday, February 27, 2027 must check-in upon arrival.
- Toques! Fundraising walkers who raise $150+ (or $75+ for those under 18) will receive a CNOY toqueCNOY toque as a thank you on event day, while supplies last.
- Offsite fundraising walkers can contact their local event director to arrange toque pickup the week of the event.
Have questions? Visit the FAQ section!
Handling Money
- Credit Card: The Best Option! Simple, secure, automatically tax receipted for gifts of $20+. Visit the Donate page, share your personal page link, or have your donor call the CNOY Head Office.
- Cheques: The Old Faithful - made out to Coldest Night of the Year with your name on the Memo line. Mail them to CNOY Head Office along with your completed pledge form.
- Cash: You have 2 options:
- 1. Login to FundHub, click “Enter $$ and Cheques,” create pledges for your cash donations, pay them off with your personal credit card, and keep the cash. OR...
- 2. Write a cheque (made out to “Coldest Night of the Year”) for the total amount of cash you’ve collected. Mail it to the CNOY Head Office with your completed pledge sheet.
Waivers
All participants must register online and accept the electronic waiver.
- Adults accept the waiver automatically when they register online.
- Youth/Children under the age of majority need a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
- An online form will be emailed to all parents/guardians before CNOY Day.
- You may also bring a filled-out printed waiver.
- Waivers will also be available at check-in on CNOY Day.
What to Bring
A few common sense suggestions:
- A cell phone for emergencies (recommended but not required)
- Good waterproof shoes/boots for walking
- Warm coat and mitts/gloves
- Extra snacks if you have allergies or food sensitivities
- Your own water bottle
- A passion for the charity you're walking and fundraising for!
CNOY Photos from 2026
Thanks to all of our amazing volunteer photographers! If you've got CNOY photos or videos you'd like to share, please contact your local event director.
Contact Us
CNOY St. Catharines 2027
The CNOY Team Participant & Donor Services
Toll Free 1.877.743.3413 / Phone 519.603.2250
Email stcatharines@cnoy.org