Pottstown Coldest Night walk to raise funds, awareness of homeless struggles

POTTSTOWN — If the ongoing debate about homeless people in the borough has ever made you wonder what it must be like to be outside on a cold night, then Saturday, Feb. 24, is your chance to find out, and raise money to help at the same time.

Pottstown Beacon of Hope is encouraging residents to bundle up and raise cold, hard cash for an event called the Coldest Night of the Year (WALK).

It’s a “family-friendly winter fundraising walk for the PBOH Warming Center for homeless men and women,” according to a press release issued by the organization.

“Thousands of participants will be safely taking part in the WALK in an anticipated 40 cities across The United States. By walking together in the chill of the night, participants will better understand the experience of being on the streets during a cold Pottstown winter, while raising funds to aid the work of Pottstown Beacon of Hope in providing much-needed support,” event director, Susan Lloyd said in the press release.

The Pottstown walk begins and ends at the North End Fire Company, 301 Prospect St., Pottstown. There will be a kick-off event at 4:45 p.m. and the walk begins at 5 p.m.

Donations can be made on the spot, or ahead of time at http://CNOY.com/location/Pottstown, where residents also can register or sign up to volunteer. As of Monday, 136 walks had already signed up.

Participants will walk a 2K or 5K route, can warm up with toasty drinks at the Weigner Insurance & Financial Services Inc. rest stop along the way, and will be able to celebrate their efforts together at the finish line.

All those who raise over $150 (or $75 for youth) will also don iconic CNOY toques as they face the cold night.

This is Beacon of Hope’s first year taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year, and they’re aiming to raise $20,000 to offset the operation of their rotating winter warming center for men and women experiencing homelessness in Pottstown. An expected 125 walkers and 24 teams, including staff and friends of PBOH and Mayor Stephanie Henrick and her “Mayor Squad” Team, are anticipated to participate.

Community sponsors include Michael J. McCloskey III & Samuel J. McCloskey, Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, Pottstown Hospital and The Lowa Group.

Pottstown Beacon of Hope has been serving Pottstown for four years, and the funds raised in the Coldest Night of the Year will benefit those they serve at a time of the year known historically for low levels of giving.

“This is about more than just a walk, and we provide more than just a bed,” Beacon of Hope Executive Director Tom Niahros said in outlining the many services the organization provides and the many people they have put on the path to permanent housing. “This is about a community coming together. Join us and help to make it the warmest coldest night of the year.”