Brain Injury Association to benefit from Coldest Night of the Year 2025

Being a team captain again in this year’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) event is something that means a lot to Fort Erie Fire Chief Mark Schmitt.

This is the second run for the event locally, a tradition for many years in municipalities across the country, but one that is just getting started in Fort Erie.

It will take place on February 22 and participants can register for two- and five-kilometre routes.

Since 2011, CNOY has raised over $75 million across Canada in 190 communities with all net proceeds benefiting local charities.

And the Brain Injury Association of Fort Erie (BIAFE) is taking the lead in Fort Erie, headquartered at the corner of Niagara Parkway and Phipps Street.

Team Jessica, led by Chief Schmitt, is named in honour of his late wife, Jessica, who passed away in 2021.

Assisting people through various causes, such as homeless and women’s shelters, was something Jessica took a lot of pride in, Schmitt told Fort Erie Radio in an interview.

“She dedicated the last part of her life to supporting the less fortunate,” he said, adding they had participated in St. Catharines’ edition of CNOY on multiple occasions.

A presentation from BIAFE at a council meeting ahead of last year’s inaugural event is what got him involved quickly.

He then started to learn more about BIAFE and their programs, and that the organization doesn’t just support individuals who have acquired brain injuries through trauma caused by accidents; they also help people who have suffered brain injuries after medical events such as strokes.

“It grew my interest in supporting them even further,” said Schmitt.

Last year, Schmitt entered into a challenge with Fort Erie Radio program director Brent Jones, before Fort Erie Radio was launched, to see whose team could raise more funds.

Schmitt admitted he got “edged out” by Jones’ team.

“I think I beat him in personal fundraising,” quipped Schmitt.

Coincidentally, Schmitt’s son, Jacob, was hired last summer as operations manager at BIAFE.

He said that partnering with CNOY is important because homelessness is not an unfamiliar topic at BIAFE.

“A lot of our clients are very close to being on the streets,” he said.

Many are unable to work and are sometimes “one disability cheque away from being kicked out of their apartment.”

(Jacob) Schmitt said there are about 150 people served by programs offered through BIAFE.

“It’s our mandate that they try to live as normal of life as possible after an acquired brain injury,” he said.

Last year’s event brought in $20,000 and this year’s has a goal of $30,000.

The route on February 22 starts and finishes at GFESS with walkers travelling in parts of Crescent Park for the five-kilometre event.

Two-kilometre walkers will head into the new subdivision in the Green Acres Drive area.

Local businesses can make financial contributions, in-kind donations, or promotional support, or sign up for sponsorship opportunities.

The Brain Injury Association of Fort Erie (BIAFE) was founded by residents Jackie Denham and Shirley Athoe in 1987 as the Head Injury Association of Fort Erie.

Its name was changed to BIAFE in 2018.

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