Stepping Out Into the Cold and Into Community
I almost didn't go.
Like a lot of things that end up mattering, my participation in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) started as a last-minute decision. I signed up, shared my fundraising link with people the same day, set a $150 goal, and thought — well, we'll see what happens.
What happened was more than I expected.
A Little Push Goes a Long Way
CNOY is a national fundraising walk held every February in cities across Canada, raising money for local charities that serve people experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness. This year, I walked as part of Compassion — a youth-led, non-profit ministry under the Adventist Youth of Ontario (Seventh-Day Adventist Church). One of our goals as a ministry is to encourage youth and young adults to get involved not just in their local church, but in their broader community. I wanted to lead by example. So I laced up my shoes and dragged my husband along with me.
We had originally planned to do the 2K route. Somewhere between the start line and the first stretch of road, I changed my mind. We were doing the 5K.
I won't pretend I wasn't nervous. I haven't been the most physically active lately, and the thought of falling behind or running out of steam mid-walk was genuinely on my mind. But somewhere along the route, something shifted. The cold I had braced for never really came — the weather was surprisingly mild, and by the end I was actually sweating. More than that, I stopped thinking about my pace or my legs entirely. I was just... present.
More Than a Walk
What struck me most was the energy of the people around me. Volunteers cheered us on at every turn. Fellow walkers — young, old, from all walks of life — moved together with a shared sense of purpose. Cars passing by honked their horns in support. A local coffee shop handed out free hot chocolate to everyone. Even the police showed up to help with traffic. It sounds like a small thing, but in those moments, it felt like the whole city was rooting for us.
I moved to Woodstock not too long ago, and if I'm being honest, I hadn't quite felt like I belonged here yet. That changed on this walk. For the first time, I felt like a real part of this community.
Something else surprised me, too. As someone who mostly lives and moves within Adventist circles, I don't always get the chance to connect with Christians from other backgrounds. CNOY quietly expanded my world. Walking alongside people I didn't know, united by faith and compassion in action, reminded me that the body of Christ is a lot bigger than the spaces I usually inhabit.
Divine & Zach posing for a photo at CNOY Woodstock.
A Goal Reached, A Toque Earned
As for that fundraising goal I set the morning of the walk? By the time I crossed the finish line, it was met. God sent people to give, right then and there, and I am so grateful for every single one of them. As a reward, I earned the iconic CNOY toque, but far more meaningful than the hat is knowing where that money is going.
Here in Woodstock, CNOY supports Operation Sharing, a charity that offers services and programs designed to challenge the stigmas surrounding poverty. Their approach is rooted in dignity — walking alongside community members while helping them develop practical, long-term skills that lead to self-sufficiency. It's the kind of work that doesn't just meet an immediate need; it changes lives.
Every city that participates in CNOY has its own local charity, so the impact is always close to home.
Your Turn
If you're reading this and thinking, that sounds nice, but it's not really for me — I want to gently push back on that. I thought the same thing. I wasn't fit enough; I signed up at the last minute; I wasn't sure I could fundraise. None of that stopped the walk from being one of the most meaningful things I've done since moving here. You don't have to be an athlete. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to show up.
Mark your calendars: CNOY returns on February 27, 2027. In the meantime, explore what's happening in your city at cnoy.org.
Come for the walk. Stay for the community. Leave with a bigger heart—and maybe a toque.
Divine Padayachy is a member of the Compassion team, which is a youth-led ministry under the Adventist Youth of Ontario, committed to inspiring young Adventists to serve their local communities. To learn more or get involved, visit our Compassion Ministries page.