Volunteering at the 2026 Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY)

When: Saturday, February 28, 2026

Time & Location: depend on your role – find your name under Volunteer Roles below for these details:

•       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
•      how to dress

BRING:

• 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

WEAR:

• Clothing that is suited to the weather. The forecast says it’ll feel like -10C by 6pm. The walk takes place at the edge of the escarpment, where you’ll really feel the cold wind!

Start Location, End Location, & Parking – note the free parking, 3 – 7:30 PM, at the uncovered Juravinski lot!

ROUTE- 5km:

Volunteer Roles

* * * * * * * * * *Parking Support – Mike V. & Jez H.

(Outdoor role)

• NEW! where to arrive:  Sacred Heart school, 5 Hamilton Ave. L8V 2S3 (on the map, the Start location)
• when to arrive:  2:30 pm (shift ends by 5 pm)
• where to go:  main hallway
• who you check in with:  Marija
• how to dress: your WARMest layers, as you’ll be outside for 2 hrs.; cozy boots, socks, pants, sweater, and coat are musts!

This is an outdoor role, working alongside the parking attendant at the outdoor Juravinski lot facing Mountain Park Avenue and the mountain brow. Wearing the CNOY tuque we provide, possibly holding pom-poms, you will warmly welcome and thank volunteers and walk-a-thon walkers to the lot, where parking has been waived 3 – 7:30 PM. (Most people will have parked by 4:45 PM)

After 5:15 pm, don’t forget to stop into the St. Stephen on the Mount Church church hall – just around the corner at 625 Concession St. – and have a bite to eat with fellow volunteers and walkers!  * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Wayfinding – Brian F.

(Indoor role)

• NEW! where to arrive:  Sacred Heart school, 5 Hamilton Ave. L8V 2S3 (on the map, the Start location)
• when to arrive:  2:45 pm (shift ends by 5:15 pm)
• where to go:  main hallway
• who you check in with:  Marija
• how to dress: a light jacket or vest for this indoor role will help guard against the potential draft

This is an indoor role, working adjacent to the kitchen and church hall of St. Stephen on the Mount (625 Concession St.). Wearing the CNOY tuque we provide, possibly holding pom-poms, you will warmly welcome and thank volunteers and walk-a-thon walkers and re-direct them to the walk start location at Sacred Heart school. (Only kitchen volunteers and the Set-up Crew are scheduled to start their roles in this location.)

Don’t forget to stop into the church hall and have a bite to eat! after 5:15 pm * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Welcome Greeters & Cheerleaders – Wink F., Liza T., Sharon K., Andy M., Erika C., Juniper G., Attilo M.

(Indoor & Outdoor role)

• NEW! where to arrive:  Sacred Heart school, 5 Hamilton Ave. L8V 2S3 (on the map, the Start location)
• when to arrive:  2:50 pm (shift ends by 7 pm)
• training starts:  3:00 pm
• where to go:  main hallway
• who you check in with:  Titi
• how to dress: your WARMest layers, as some of your role takes place outside; warm socks, mitts and a coat are musts!

From 3:15 – 4:55 pm, you’ll welcome people at entrance points and guide them towards either volunteer captains, walker check-in, and often the bathroom facilities or water re-fill station.

At 4:45 pm, you’ll head out to Viewpoint Ave., just outside of the playground to rally on our participants as they begin their walk. There’ll be a start sign, a scavenger hunt find, a sponsor poster and pom-poms to hold. A cheering, celebrating and encouraging mob of start line cheerleaders will make each walker smile with a sense of pride and excitement.

At 5:10 pm, you’ll walk over to St. Stephen on the Mount church. You’ll cheer on our participants as they cross the finish line, starting around 5:15. A cheering, celebrating and encouraging mob of finish line cheerleaders will make each participant smile with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Don’t forget to stop into the church hall and have a bite to eat! * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Check-in Crew – Blanca S., Raj S., Peter K., Obiageli D., Sue J., Stefanny A., Caitlin H., Maureen. H, Laura R.

(Indoor role)

• NEW! where to arrive: Sacred Heart school, 5 Hamilton Ave. L8V 2S3 (on the map, the Start location)
• when to arrive:  3:15 pm (shift ends 5:30-6pm)
• training starts:  3:30 pm
• where to go:  gymnasium
• who you check in with:  Jen
• how to dress:  a light jacket or vest for this indoor role will help guard against the potential draft

You will greet walkers warmly as they arrive to your table in the large room (the gymnasium), 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 or two of you will be assigned to the cash/cheques table to accept these donations. Don’t forget to tell walkers about the treats in the playground and the rest stops, and tell families about the scavenger hunt!

After 5:15 pm, don’t forget to stop into the St. Stephen on the Mount Church church hall – just around the corner at 625 Concession St. – and have a bite to eat with fellow volunteers and walkers!* * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Photo/Video Crew – Jordynne

(Indoor & Outdoor Role)

• when to arrive: 3:30 pm (shift ends 7:30pm)
• where to go: lobby
• who you check in with: Jasmin
• your WARMest layers, as some of your role takes place outside; warm socks, mitts and a coat are musts!

 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!

Don’t forget to stop into the St. Stephen on the Mount Church church hall and have a bite to eat with other volunteers and walkers! * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Food Team – Diane P., Jeffrey D., Jareim S., Rowan S.

(Indoor Role)

• where to arrive: St. Stephen on the Mount Church hall – 625 Concession St.
• when to arrive: 3:30 pm (shift ends at 8pm)
• where to go: kitchen
• who you check in with: Lynne (chef) or Sue
• how to dress: comfortable, cool clothing if you’re volunteering indoors and moving around a lot, like in setting up or in the kitchen

You’ll finish reheating the snack, set up the food and beverage tables, serve up the mac n’ cheese, and clean up after a simple post-event meal. One or two of you will make the hot chocolate, and another one or two of you will assist in distributing any snacks or beverages to volunteers during the event.

Don’t forget to stop and have a bite to eat with fellow volunteers and walkers! * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Route Team (Marshals) – Barton & Christine T., Michelle, Sarah, Amie, Kirk L., Jude B., Brian & Cameron E., Phina A., Sydney O., Leah R., Magnolia J., Siham & Qaseem A., Rong Z., Yolanda H., Emilee M., Lilla B., Zachary C. Elias R., YMCA HBB youth group & leads,

(Outdoor role)

• when to arrive:  3:35 pm (shift ends 7:30)
• NEW! where to go:  Sacred Heart school, 5 Hamilton Ave. L8V 2S3 (on the map, the Start location)
• training starts:  3:45 pm
• who you check in with: Chelsea or Marija
• how to dress:  your WARMest layers, as you’ll be outside for 1.5-2 hrs.; cozy boots, socks, pants, sweater, and coat are musts!

You’ll smile widely and cheer on our participants as they walk by your assigned key corner or intersection. You’ll hold a CNOY sign (provided), direct and encourage walkers, and them know their current distance, how far to the rest stop, and where the washrooms are.

After training, the Route Support drivers will take you out group by group, then pick you up when all the walkers have passed by your assigned corner/intersection. In between, they’ll deliver hot chocolate and treats for warmth and energy.

BRING:

• 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 (see maps above or 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 Route volunteers at the event.)

Don’t forget to stop into the church hall and have a bite to eat!* * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Route Team (Support Vehicles) – Gunther K.,  Dave P., Jess S.,  Sam M.,

(Outdoor Role)

• when to arrive:  3:35 pm (shift ends 7:30)
• NEW! where to go:  Sacred Heart school, 5 Hamilton Ave. L8V 2S3 (on the map, the Start location)
• training starts:  3:45 pm
• who you check in with: Chelsea or Marija
• how to dress:  warm outer layer for delivering the table, signs and hot chocolate to the Rest Stop

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.

BRING:

• a fully charged cell phone (if possible) so that you can call in to the Route Team Lead or other Route Support Vehicles, if needed
• working knowledge of the 2 routes (see maps above or 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 Route volunteers at the event.)

Don’t forget to stop into the church hall and have a bite to eat! * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Route Rest Stop Hosts – Deanna A., Evan U.

(Outdoor Role)

• when to arrive:  3:35 pm (shift ends 7:30)
• NEW! where to go:  Sacred Heart school, 5 Hamilton Ave. L8V 2S3 (on the map, the Start location)
• training starts:  3:45 pm
• who you check in with: Chelsea or Marija
• how to dress:  your WARMest layers, as you’ll be outside for 1.5-2 hrs.; cozy boots, socks, pants, sweater, and coat are musts!

You’ll set up the rest stop outside, hand out hot chocolate for walkers during the walk, and keep 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 provide information about the route.

BRING:

• 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 (see maps above or 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 Route volunteers at the event.)

Don’t forget to stop into the church hall and have a bite to eat! * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Set-Up and Tear Down Team – Judy L., Chris L., Don H., Tish N., Mo N., Emilee D., Brian M.

(Indoor Role)

• when to arrive: 4:00pm (shift ends 8pm)
• where to go: St. Stephen on the Mount (625 Concession St., L8V 1B7) church hall by the storage room (to your left)
• who you check in with: Sharon
• You’ll set up the tables and chairs, so that the hall is ready for the walkers’ return for the post-walk snack
• how to dress: comfortable, cool clothing if you’re volunteering indoors and moving around a lot, like in setting up or in the kitchen

Around 4:45 pm, some of you will head over to the start site (2 blocks away at Sacred Heart school gymnasium), to help pack up the site where the walk started, then return to the church hall.

At 7:00 pm or so,  you’ll take down and put away the tables and chairs, and oversee the proper gathering of recycling and garbage.

Don’t forget to have a bite to eat before 7! * * * * * * * * * *