CNOY Volunteer Info | Neighbour to Neighbour Centre

Volunteering at the 2025 Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY)

Location: 625 Concession Street – St. Stephen-on-the-Mount Church (Hamilton, L8V 1B7)

When: Saturday, February 22, 2025

Time: depends on your role – find your name under Volunteer Roles below for these reminders:

that your volunteer role is indoors or outdoors
when to arrive
where in the location to go
who you check in with
what job you’ll be doing

Parking
Parking is available on side streets. Meters will not be enforced during the afternoon of the walk. All other City parking guidelines will be enforced.

ROUTE- 2km:

ROUTE- 5km:

Wear:

WARM gear that is suited for the weather, especially if you are in an outdoor Route volunteer role, (including: warm, cozy under layers, a warm windproof coat, warm mitts or gloves, warm socks and warm boots). The forecast says it’ll be -8C, feeling like -16C. The walk talks place at the edge of the escarpment, where you’ll really feel the wind!
A light layer if you’re volunteering indoors – a jacket will help guard against the potential draft.
Comfortable, cool clothing if you’re volunteering indoors and moving around a lot, like in setting up or in the kitchen

Bring:

if you are in an outdoor Route volunteer role, a fully charged cell phone (if possible) so that you can call in to the Route Team Lead or Route Support Vehicles, if needed
working knowledge of the 2 routes (especially if you are in an outdoor Route volunteer role): https://cnoy.org/location/hamiltonmountain (scroll down near the very bottom.) When you click on each bubble, you will find the written directions in addition to the map. Route maps will be available to all volunteers at the event.
your own coffee mug or water bottle
your high school volunteer hours paperwork, if applicable.
😊 😊 😊 – your brightest SMILES!
your appetite for the post walk snack

Volunteer Roles (listed in order of who shows up first, second, third, etc…)

Welcome Greeters & Cheerleaders – Wink F., Sharon K., Elizebeth B.; Robert P., John M. and Laura C. of Wilson Blanchard

(Indoor Role, but could get drafty)

when to arrive: 2:45 (shift ends 7pm)
where to go: lobby
who you check in with: Liza

You’ll welcome and guide people just arriving towards either walker check-in, volunteer captains and often, the bathroom facilities (3 – 5 pm).

You’ll cheer on our participants as they begin their walk and cross the finish line. A cheering, celebrating and encouraging mob of finish line cheerleaders will make each participant smile with a sense of pride and accomplishment (5:30 – 7 pm).

Check-in Crew – Catherine V., Shandra T., Pamela S., Peter K., Tammy R., Keira R.

(Indoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:15 (shift ends 5:30-6pm)
where to go: large room/the church hall
who you check in with: Jen

You will greet walkers warmly as they arrive to your table in the large room (the church hall), check their name off the participant list, applaud their fundraising, reward walkers who fundraised their minimum with a toque, and recognize exceptional fundraising with gold $1K buttons for those who earned them. One of you will be assigned to the cash/cheques table to accept these donations.

Kids Table Crew – Deanna A., Anh Thu D.

(Indoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:30 (shift ends 5:00pm)
where to go: large room/the church hall
who you check in with: Jasmin

You will greet walkers and their kids warmly as they arrive to your table in the large room (the church hall). You’ll provide kids colouring sheets and crayons, and explain the scavenger hunt. If the face-painter requires assistance with the line-up or obtaining supplies, you’ll help out there, as well.

Route Team (Marshals) – Michelle M., Sarah P., Wendie L., Harrison R., Kyle R., Nadeem & YMCA HBB group, William V. & Cadet group

(Outdoor Role – see the note above about what to wear!)

when to arrive: 3:45 (shift ends 7-7:30)
where to go: sanctuary/church
who you check in with: Marija or Chelsea

You’ll be assigned to a key corner or intersection by your route captain. We’ll provide you signage to hold, possibly a scavenger hunt item, and a bright safety vest. You’ll direct and cheer on walkers, and let them know their current distance and if applicable how far to the rest stop.

If you’re holding a scavenger hunt item, hold it up high so the kids can easily see it as they walk by. Point them toward the item and make it fun and enjoyable!

Route Team (Support Vehicles) – Gunther K., Dave P., John B., Les S., Jess S-P., Sam M.,

(Outdoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:45 (shift ends 7:30-8)
where to go: sanctuary/church
who you check in with: Marija or Chelsea

You’ll bring your van, SUV or truck, and a full tank of gas. Before the walk, you’ll drop off Marshals, and bring the Route Rest Stop supplies to two designated areas. During the walk you are responsible to “sweep” the CNOY route, watching for tired or injured walkers, cold and weepy toddlers (and their parents), etc.

The passenger partner will ride along in the passenger seat and take charge of all communication duties to your Route Leader throughout the evening to report and comment on road, sidewalk, and walker conditions. This passenger will bring their phone and be in constant communication with the Route Leader so that the driver can focus on driving.

At the end of the walk, you will pick up Marshals, take-down 6-10 signs and bring back the Route Rest Stop table and supplies.

Route Rest Stop Hosts – Lauren M., Denise R., Hatem E B., Marcel C., of Wilson Blanchard

(Outdoor Role – see the note above about what to wear!)

when to arrive: 3:45 (shift ends 7-7:30pm)
where to go: sanctuary/church
who you check in with: Marija or Chelsea

You’ll set up the rest stop outside, hand out hot chocolate for walkers during the walk, and keeping an eye out for tired, cold walkers should they require assistance. You will often direct and encourage walkers, and let them know their current distance and provide information about the route.

Food Team – Kathleen D., Diane W., Obiageli D., Anna O.,

(Indoor Role)

when to arrive: 4 (shift ends at 8pm)
where to go: kitchen
who you check in with: Lynne

You’ll finish cooking, serve, and clean up after a simple post-event meal and assist in distributing any snacks or beverages to volunteers during the event.

Set-Up and Tear Down Team – Graeme D., Judy L., Christopher L., Don H., Myles H., Chris C.

(Indoor Role)

when to arrive: 4:15 (shift ends 8pm)
where to go: church hall by the storage room
who you check in with: Sharon

You’ll set up the tables and chairs set up and have the room ready for the walkers’ return for a post-walk snack. Afterwards, you’ll take down and put away the tables and chairs, and oversee the proper gathering of recycling and garbage.

Welcome Cheerleaders – see Welcome Greeter Team

(Indoor & Outdoor Role, indoors is just a few steps away!)

when to arrive: 5:30 (shift ends 7-7:30pm)
where to go: lobby
who you check in with: Liza

Food Team A –

(Indoor Role)

when to arrive: noon (shift ends at 4pm)
where to go: kitchen
who you check in with: tba

You’ll prepare ingredients and cook a simple post-event meal, and assist in distributing any snacks or beverages to volunteers during the event.

Photo/Video Crew –

(Outdoor Role)

when to arrive: 3:15 (shift ends 7:30pm)
where to go: lobby
who you check in with:

You’ll capture the fun of CNOY on film! You’ll take pictures/videos of participants, teams, & volunteers both at the start/finish location and along the route. Pictures must be high quality (minimum of 6 megapixels, each at least 1 MB in size). All photographers will get around on foot (or have their own vehicle). NOTE: We request that there be no watermarking/shrinking/sales pitches as you volunteer your services for our non-profit event!

COVID-19 safety
Facemasks are not mandatory, and it is up to each individual to take the precautions they are comfortable with. Each individual volunteering or attending assumes all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, viruses, bacteria, or illnesses.