CNOY 2026
February 28, 2026
Hudson, WI
www.cnoy.com/hudson
A Community Walk with PurposeColdest Night of the Year (CNOY) is a national, family-friendly winter walk that raises awareness and funds for people in our community who are hurt, hungry, and homeless. On the evening of February 28, 2026, neighbors from across the St. Croix Valley will gather in downtown Hudson to step into the cold together—symbolically walking alongside those who face hardship every day.
Now entering its third year, CNOY has quickly become one of the St. Croix Valley’s most meaningful community nights, hosted right in downtown Hudson. In just two years, our local walk has ranked in the Top 10 of all CNOY locations in North America, raised more than $112,000, and engaged over 1,200 walkers and donors in support of vital local programs. With hundreds of people moving through First Street and along the riverfront, the St. Croix Valley shows up with heart, purpose, and compassion. |
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Who the Event SupportsCNOY is organized locally by River Valley Charities, but it is truly a collaborative community effort. The funds raised are shared equally among four partner organizations, each of which plays an active role in making the event a success. All four organizations help recruit walkers and teams, bring volunteers, engage sponsors, and raise awareness for the cause.
The proceeds from CNOY directly support:
How CNOY Works
CNOY is, at its core, a peer-to-peer fundraiser. Participants sign up to walk, create a personal fundraising page, and invite their family, friends, coworkers, and networks to donate in support of their effort. Many small gifts add up quickly, and the collective impact is extraordinary.
By the time the walk begins on February 28, most of the fundraising is complete. The walk itself becomes the celebration—an evening where we gather to recognize what our community has accomplished together. Walking in the cold is a symbolic reminder of why this work matters and who we’re walking for.
The Event Experience
The route winds through downtown Hudson with a few hundred walkers bundled in their CNOY beanies, creating a moving sea of color and community spirit. MidCurrent Church will again host our start and finish location, where we’ll end the night with a warm, simple soup meal—a quiet, meaningful tradition shared across all CNOY sites.
This year, we’re aiming to reach $60,000 raised for our neighbors in need.
Ways to Get Involved
1. Start a Walking Team
Teams are the heartbeat of CNOY. We’re looking for passionate, enthusiastic team leaders to rally coworkers, friends, families, church groups, and clubs. No previous experience is required—just a willingness to gather people around a good cause. Your leadership inspires others to join, donate, and walk with purpose.
Getting started is simple. CNOY uses FundHub, a user-friendly fundraising platform that makes creating your team, setting up your page, and inviting others to join incredibly easy. Everything is guided and intuitive, so you can focus on rallying your group rather than managing logistics.
Team leaders can register today at: cnoy.com/hudson (Click "Register")
2. Walk as an Individual
If you’re not forming a team, you are warmly invited to walk with the River Valley Charities team. Everyone is welcome, and every participant strengthens our impact.
Join the RVC team by clicking HERE. (Click "join the team" in upper right corner)
3. Become an Event Sponsor
CNOY is a highly visible event with hundreds of walkers downtown and thousands of impressions through campaign content, social media, and community engagement. Sponsors play a crucial role in making the event possible and receive meaningful recognition throughout the campaign.
We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities for organizations of all sizes. View the sponsorship package HERE.
4. Donate to the Cause
If you’re unable to participate or sponsor the event, you can still make a meaningful impact by contributing directly to the campaign. Every donation—large or small—helps us reach our goal and support families who are hurt, hungry, and homeless in the St. Croix Valley.
Donate HERE. (Click "donate to team" in upper right corner)
Why It Matters
This event is more than a walk. It is a statement of solidarity with those facing hunger, housing instability, and hardship in the St. Croix Valley. Every step you take, every dollar raised, and every conversation sparked helps strengthen the network of support our communities depend on.
Together, we can build a St. Croix Valley where everyone has a safe place to call home, a warm meal when they need it, and the chance to build a brighter future.
About the National Event & Blue Sea Philanthropy
Coldest Night of the Year is organized nationally by Blue Sea Philanthropy, a nonprofit foundation that partners with local charities across the U.S. and Canada to run high-impact, peer-to-peer fundraising events. Blue Sea provides the national infrastructure—online fundraising platforms, branding, safety guidelines, walker resources, and event systems—while each host site delivers the local heart and community connection.
This model allows grassroots nonprofits like River Valley Charities to run a polished, effective, and inspiring event while keeping the majority of funds right here in the St. Croix Valley.
Hudson is one of the most successful CNOY sites in the entire network, consistently demonstrating strong community engagement, outstanding fundraising momentum, and a deep commitment to supporting our neighbors in need.
The proceeds from CNOY directly support:
- River Valley Charities
- Grace Place Shelter
- Our Neighbors’ Place
- The Farm at YMCA Camp St. Croix
How CNOY Works
CNOY is, at its core, a peer-to-peer fundraiser. Participants sign up to walk, create a personal fundraising page, and invite their family, friends, coworkers, and networks to donate in support of their effort. Many small gifts add up quickly, and the collective impact is extraordinary.
By the time the walk begins on February 28, most of the fundraising is complete. The walk itself becomes the celebration—an evening where we gather to recognize what our community has accomplished together. Walking in the cold is a symbolic reminder of why this work matters and who we’re walking for.
The Event Experience
The route winds through downtown Hudson with a few hundred walkers bundled in their CNOY beanies, creating a moving sea of color and community spirit. MidCurrent Church will again host our start and finish location, where we’ll end the night with a warm, simple soup meal—a quiet, meaningful tradition shared across all CNOY sites.
This year, we’re aiming to reach $60,000 raised for our neighbors in need.
Ways to Get Involved
1. Start a Walking Team
Teams are the heartbeat of CNOY. We’re looking for passionate, enthusiastic team leaders to rally coworkers, friends, families, church groups, and clubs. No previous experience is required—just a willingness to gather people around a good cause. Your leadership inspires others to join, donate, and walk with purpose.
Getting started is simple. CNOY uses FundHub, a user-friendly fundraising platform that makes creating your team, setting up your page, and inviting others to join incredibly easy. Everything is guided and intuitive, so you can focus on rallying your group rather than managing logistics.
Team leaders can register today at: cnoy.com/hudson (Click "Register")
2. Walk as an Individual
If you’re not forming a team, you are warmly invited to walk with the River Valley Charities team. Everyone is welcome, and every participant strengthens our impact.
Join the RVC team by clicking HERE. (Click "join the team" in upper right corner)
3. Become an Event Sponsor
CNOY is a highly visible event with hundreds of walkers downtown and thousands of impressions through campaign content, social media, and community engagement. Sponsors play a crucial role in making the event possible and receive meaningful recognition throughout the campaign.
We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities for organizations of all sizes. View the sponsorship package HERE.
4. Donate to the Cause
If you’re unable to participate or sponsor the event, you can still make a meaningful impact by contributing directly to the campaign. Every donation—large or small—helps us reach our goal and support families who are hurt, hungry, and homeless in the St. Croix Valley.
Donate HERE. (Click "donate to team" in upper right corner)
Why It Matters
This event is more than a walk. It is a statement of solidarity with those facing hunger, housing instability, and hardship in the St. Croix Valley. Every step you take, every dollar raised, and every conversation sparked helps strengthen the network of support our communities depend on.
Together, we can build a St. Croix Valley where everyone has a safe place to call home, a warm meal when they need it, and the chance to build a brighter future.
About the National Event & Blue Sea Philanthropy
Coldest Night of the Year is organized nationally by Blue Sea Philanthropy, a nonprofit foundation that partners with local charities across the U.S. and Canada to run high-impact, peer-to-peer fundraising events. Blue Sea provides the national infrastructure—online fundraising platforms, branding, safety guidelines, walker resources, and event systems—while each host site delivers the local heart and community connection.
This model allows grassroots nonprofits like River Valley Charities to run a polished, effective, and inspiring event while keeping the majority of funds right here in the St. Croix Valley.
Hudson is one of the most successful CNOY sites in the entire network, consistently demonstrating strong community engagement, outstanding fundraising momentum, and a deep commitment to supporting our neighbors in need.
A Look Back at CNOY 2025
2025 CNOY Sponsors
$2,000 Supporting Sponsors
$1,000 Rest Stop Sponsors
$500 Route Sponsors |
Goods & Service Sponsors |
