Residents in Minto and the neighbouring township of Mapleton raised more than $40,000 during the community Coldest Night of the Year walk on February 28, 2026, to help people struggling with housing and food costs. The annual fundraiser supports people experiencing financial hardship and housing instability in rural Wellington County.
The walk, held in Harriston, is part of the Coldest Night of the Year event and includes 2.5 km and 5 km routes through town for participants to show their support. Local reporting and CRC materials note the event expanded to become the Minto‑Mapleton CNOY to engage more walkers and businesses across the rural area.
Funds raised stay within the local community and are directed to the Community Resource Centre of North & Centre Wellington (CRC). According to the CRC, proceeds help fund emergency rent assistance, food security programs (including summer food supports and grocery gift cards), and rural transportation services for residents facing rising costs of living.
Community Engagement Coordinator Ali Kane‑DeCaire said rural homelessness is often hidden: “homelessness in our area doesn’t always look like someone on a sidewalk; it’s the families living in unheated trailers or couch‑surfing month to month.” The CRC and event organizers have emphasized that CNOY proceeds provide crucial frontline funding for these local programs.
Local leaders also showed their support: Mayor Dave Turton (Town of Minto) and Mayor Gregg Davidson (Township of Mapleton) participated in event activities and appeared in CRC promotional materials encouraging residents to take part. The Minto‑Mapleton CNOY is organized through the national Coldest Night of the Year platform and directs net proceeds to the CRC to support people across Minto, Mapleton, Centre Wellington and Wellington North.
