Second Annual Coldest Night of the Year raises over 40 thousand in Benton Harbor

By: Kylee Leahy

Posted: Feb 28, 2026 10:30 PM EST

NOW: Second Annual Coldest Night of the Year raises over 40 thousand in Benton Harbor

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- More than 100 people took to the sidewalks Saturday for the second annual Coldest Night of the Year 5K in Benton Harbor, raising more than $40,000 to support local emergency shelter services and raise awareness about housing insecurity.

The Coldest Night of the Year is a national fundraising walk held each February. In Benton Harbor, organizers said the event has quickly become one of the most successful in the country.

“The intent is really to put themselves in the shoes of someone who maybe doesn’t have a place to come home to tonight,” said Sarah Eades, the event director. “We are number 10 in the country. We also have the individual who raised the most money in the United States on our team.”

Proceeds from the Benton Harbor walk benefit Emergency Shelter Services, which serves people experiencing homelessness and housing instability across Berrien County.

Heading into this year's 5k, the organizers doubled their fundraising goal from the year prior. They raised over 40 thousand dollars before the walk took place.

“This year, you can already see that the community has just responded,” said Bridget Kuglin, board president of Emergency Shelter Services. “We’ve had so many volunteers raise their hands and say, ‘I can provide this, I can provide that.’ The number of walkers has exploded.”

Funds raised through the event are unrestricted, allowing the nonprofit to assist people who may not qualify for state or federally funded programs.

“The Emergency Shelter Services are funded by the state of Michigan and we have federal grants, so this helps the families or individuals that may not quite qualify for the programs,” said Reshella Hawkins, executive director of the organization. “So,we’re able to help somebody maybe a one-time thing, for their electric bill, gas bill.”

Organizers said the strong community response has them optimistic about the future of the event and its ability to support neighbors in need for years to come.