Fresh off of Toolbox Niagara’s sixth annual campaign, Thorold resident James Symons is getting ready to walk during the ‘Coldest Night of the Year.’
The charity event will take place on Feb. 25 in downtown St. Catharines, and will raise funds for Start Me Up Niagara, a local organization offering programs for people facing poverty and homelessness.
“The walk is a great way to meet other people and other organizations as we all work together,” says Symons, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “It’s not a race. It’s a time to just walk together and to support Start Me Up Niagara. It’s a great way to give back to them because it’s their biggest fundraiser of the year.”
This is the first year the ‘Coldest Night’ will be held in person since the pandemic started.
Members of his Toolbox family will join Symons on the walk.
“I have invited the City of Thorold,” Symons says. “Councillor Ken Sentance will be walking with me, a few Brock alumni will be walking with me, and anyone who wants to join us or anyone who wants to donate can go online.”
Councillor Sentance tells ThoroldToday that supporting the event is a no-brainer for him.
“I think we should be visible when it’s things like this and lead by example,” he says. “Whether I was a councillor or not I would be doing this. I just follow [Symons’] lead and help out anytime I can. He’s a fantastic person in Thorold.”
Symons has been running Toolbox Niagara for six years now. Every year the organization collects winter essentials to donate to the homeless.
Toolbox’s latest campaign finished up just last month.
“We had a very successful drive,” Symons says. “The people were very appreciative. We were able to give them hope. I really enjoy the whole Toolbox process but the delivery is always an emotional time. I really look forward to meeting the different agencies, and the different people. It’s just so awesome.”
After the ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ Symons plans on laying low for a while.
“We will take a much needed rest for the team,” says Symons. “We hope the community will walk with us on the ‘Coldest Night’ and then we will take a rest, but we’re always up to something. Something will probably come up.”
The ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ will take off from the Market Square in St. Catharines at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. To donate or register head over to the event’s website.
