February 23, 2025

‘HNOY’ RAISES $133,000+ FOR GAP WITH THRILLED, CHILLED WALKERS IN GRAVENHURST SATURDAY

GRAVENHURST — It was and wasn’t the Coldest Night of the Year — close.

But it was the ‘Happiest Night of the Year’ yesterday as hundreds of supporters and teams walked to close the gap for GAP.

Especially if you followed directions and marshals at the corners.

Dianne Harrop and Marsha Blaine took the long way round town as they just “followed the others” when they traipsed uptown from the Lion’s Pavilion at the Muskoka Wharf.

When they got to the main street at Muskoka Road it was exit left for them — instead of right — for the intrepid walkers who do this all the time they laughed at the midway point.

By the time they got to the GAP headquarter at Trinity United Church they realized they were headed north toward Bracebridge, instead of toward Toronto.

Then they realized they were on 2 km. route rather than the 5K.

That’s when they did an about face and beat a steady path due south to Mr. Sub and catching up with larger crowd who made it to the midway point to enjoy tiny subs and delicious samosas.

GAP chair Beth Houston, second left, warms up with the cleanup crew after tidying up at the Lion’s Pavilion then joining walkers after at PB following another highly successful CNOY walk yesterday. Photo Mark Clairmont

Then it was the choice for Harrop and Blaine to opt for the return route down James Street to BP for celebratory pizza or Bay Street where they wouldn’t get lost looking to follow the crowd.

Ask them which way they went when you see them.

It was all part of the annul CNOY day, Gravenhurst Against Poverty’s largest fundraiser.

As of Sunday afternoon according to the national website GAP’s 225 walkers, 46 team and 55 volunteers had raised $133,517 and were at 72 per cent of their goal.

They are still taking donations online at https://en.cnoy.org/location/gravenhurst