Monday, April 21, 2025
Although spring is finally here, it wasn’t long ago that the frigid weather was upon us and, therefore, the “Coldest Night of the Year” (CNOY), an annual winter walk in Doylestown, was held at the end of February. This family-friendly event brought together the community to raise funds and awareness for people facing homelessness, hunger, and hardship.
CNOY, hosted by the Bucks County Opportunity Council, Bucks County Housing Group, Family Service Association of Bucks County, and YWCA Bucks County, offers participants the option of a 2K or 5K walk through town.
Originally launched in Canada in 2011, the CNOY event expanded to the United States, and three years ago, the Doylestown community joined the movement. Kelly Pasquarella, Director of Resource Development at YWCA Bucks County, recalls the early days when she got a call from a CNOY representative. “When they called and asked us to participate, we immediately reached out to our partners, and they were ecstatic to collaborate.”
Despite starting late in its inaugural year, the event raised an impressive $22,000. By year two, the event surpassed its $25,000 goal, raising $28,000. This year, the community came together stronger than ever, exceeding $40,000. “The overall goal of this event is to raise awareness and get more people involved in helping those who are unhoused. It doesn’t just have to be monetary; just volunteering your time to help makes a huge impact,” Pasquarella emphasized.
The four nonprofits share proceeds from this event and collaborate at the Serving Bucks Together (SBT) center in Warminster, where they provide walk-in assistance. If one organization cannot meet a client's needs, they connect them with a partner nonprofit, ensuring access to essential services, especially for those in need of housing or food.
With 254 registered participants and many walk-in attendees, this year’s event ultimately consisted of over 300 participants, the largest turnout yet. Before the walk began, the crowd held a solemn moment of silence for those lost to homelessness in 2024. “It was somber, which was what we as the planning committee were going for; we wanted everybody to feel the impact of what we were doing,” said Pasquarella.
The walk kicked off at the Bucks County Justice Center with an electrifying performance from Drummers With Attitude (DWA), a group of student drummers from Bristol Township School District. Their beats set the tone for the walk as confetti filled the air.
Several elected officials and nonprofit representatives gave speeches welcoming the widespread community support for tackling homelessness and hunger in Bucks County.
Erik Clare, Executive Director of the Bucks County Housing Group, spoke on behalf of the nonprofits explaining that these organizations participated in this event because they wanted to show Bucks County what it’s like to give back. He noted how these four nonprofits are not in competition with each other, but work together collaboratively to help this county.
Pasquarella echoed this sentiment: “The need is real, and it’s right here in our own community. People don’t always realize how many families and individuals in Bucks County are struggling. This event brings that reality to light while also showing that we have the power to help.”
Kevin Travers, DWA’s founder, noted that over the years, some of the DWA members had personally experienced homelessness, making the event especially meaningful. “One of my goals for DWA is to practice inclusion. Everyone, regardless of their circumstance, should feel like they belong,” Travers shared.
Pasquarella highlighted the importance of the event’s growing impact: “We were the first in Pennsylvania to hold this event, and now it’s expanding to other locations in the state. It’s amazing to see how much more awareness we’re bringing each year.”
With warm drinks, snacks, and a celebratory meal at the end of the evening at the James Lorah Auditorium, the event is not just a fundraiser but a meaningful gathering for social change.
Throughout the night, conversations at resource tables helped educate attendees on the services offered by the event’s four nonprofit hosts. Many attendees expressed newfound awareness and an eagerness to get more involved beyond the event, whether through donations or volunteering.
With each passing year, the Coldest Night of the Year grows in both participation and fundraising success. The organizers aim to expand outreach efforts, recruit more walkers, and surpass their fundraising goals in future years.
Despite temperatures dropping to 21 degrees by the event’s end, spirits remained high. Those who raised $150 or more ($75 for youth) proudly displayed their CNOY beanies as a symbol of their commitment to the cause. On the way home, Travers shared that the DWA students reflected on the speeches and recognized the importance of helping those less fortunate in Bucks County.
Pasquarella shared her vision for the future: “We want to make this even bigger next year. We’re setting a $40,000 goal, and we already have the date set so people can mark their calendars for February 28, 2026. The more people we bring in, the more impact we can have.”
The Coldest Night of the Year is more than just a walk; it’s a movement to create lasting change in the community, ensuring that no one is left out in the cold.
