Winchester
WATTS
96 Walkers|36 Teams|61 Days Left
The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities. Let’s gather together for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there.
About WATTS
WATTS’s mission is to break the cycle of homelessness one life at a time. We empower individuals to re-enter the workforce and connect individuals to the resources needed to be as self-sufficient as possible while providing safe, temporary shelter during extreme weather.
In 2009 after a local man froze to death on the streets of Winchester, a group of faith-based leaders came together, seeking to do something to prevent this from ever happening again. The solution was right at their fingertips: their church buildings which were warm and sitting empty at night. Thus, the Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter (WATTS) was born and has operated every year during thermal season (November - March) ever since.
WATTS is a low-barrier shelter, meaning we seek to eliminate the barriers that may prevent someone from qualifying for other local shelter programs. We do NOT require identification, sobriety commitments, a background check, etc. as conditions for receiving a bed at night or assistance. We just want to get people in off the streets at night to a warm, safe environment where they may receive help. As a low-barrier shelter, WATTS serves adults experiencing homelessness (age 18 or over.)
Over the years, WATTS has grown and expanded to meet the needs of our community and the guests we serve. Today, we provide 21 weeks of overnight shelter from November to March, along with a daytime Warming Center in the winter, and a daytime Cooling Center in the summer, open seasonally. The counties we serve include Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, and Shenandoah in Virginia, with 87% of guests being local (born/raised in these counties.) In 2022, we began our Transition Out of Homelessness Program, a needed service with staff members who work year-round to assist our guests in accessing the resources they need to end their homelessness, setting them on the path to a safe, stable future.
Winchester Scoreboard
Are you thrashing the competition (for a good cause)? Find out here! Stats are updated every 15 minutes. See how you stack up on the national scoreboard >
Community Sponsors
Winchester (WATTS) is super grateful for our fantastic 2026 sponsors! View all sponsors >
Event Day Details
Save the date - CNOY Day is February 28, 2026!
Start/Finish Google Map
Braddock Street United Methodist Church
115 Wolfe Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Check-in starting at 4:00 PM in the fellowship hall; the walk steps off at 5:00 PM! Don't forget to come back inside the church at the completion of your walk for a free "soup kitchen" meal to complete your experience!
Parking - Street parking is available all around the church. Parking meters are FREE ON WEEKENDS in Winchester. There are also several lots nearby or the Braddock AutoPark, which is $2.00/hour (fully automated.)
*Please note: Wolfe Street will be blocked off between Braddock Street and Washington Street for walkers to gather.*
Schedule
- 4:00 pm: Meet Check-in
- 4:45 pm: Muster Gather for Opening Remarks
- 5:00 pm: Move Send-off
- 6:00 pm: Munch Light meal served
- 7:00 pm: Mosey Goodbye + see you in 2027!
Not able to join us in person at the Main Event? We hope you'll register, fundraise and walk offsite with friends and family.
Route Details
- Route Distances: Check out the maps below to see where we will be walking.
- Rest stop: Keep an eye out for opportunities to rest and refresh with yummy snacks along the route.
- Signage: Routes will be well-signed with our bold blue CNOY signs.
- Route Support: Route marshals, rest stop hosts, and support vehicle drivers provide support along the route.
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
- No Pets: We love our little furballs like you do, but pets are not permitted at the Coldest Night of the Year except for approved and trained service animals. Read more about our pet policy >
Check- in
- All walkers participating at the Main Event on Saturday, February 28, 2026 must check-in upon arrival.
- Beanies! Fundraising walkers who raise $150+ (or $75+ for those under 18) will receive a CNOY Beanie as a thank you on event day, while supplies last.
- Offsite fundraising walkers can contact their local event director to arrange toque pickup the week of the event.
Have questions? Visit the FAQ section!
Handling Money
- Credit Card: The Best Option! Simple, secure, automatically tax receipted for gifts of $20+. Visit the Donate page, share your personal page link, or have your donor call the CNOY Head Office.
- Checks: The Old Faithful - made out to Coldest Night of the Year with your name on the Memo line. Mail them to CNOY Head Office along with your completed pledge form.
- Cash: You have 2 options:
- 1. Login to FundHub, click “Enter $$ and Checks,” create pledges for your cash donations, pay them off with your personal credit card, and keep the cash. OR...
- 2. Write a check (made out to “Coldest Night of the Year”) for the total amount of cash you’ve collected. Mail it to the CNOY Head Office with your completed pledge sheet.
Waivers
All participants must register online and accept the electronic waiver.
- Adults accept the waiver automatically when they register online.
- Youth/Children under the age of majority need a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
- An online form will be emailed to all parents/guardians before CNOY Day.
- You may also bring a filled-out printed waiver.
- Waivers will also be available at check-in on CNOY Day.
What to Bring
A few common sense suggestions:
- A cell phone for emergencies (recommended but not required)
- Good waterproof shoes/boots for walking
- Warm coat and mitts/gloves
- Extra snacks if you have allergies or food sensitivities
- Your own water bottle
- A passion for the charity you're walking and fundraising for!
2025 CNOY Photos
Special thanks to our many amazing volunteer photographers!
Contact Us
CNOY Winchester 2026
The CNOYUSA Team Participant & Donor Services
Toll Free 1.877.743.3413 / Phone 519.603.2250
Email winchester@cnoy.com