Light Up the Night for Noelle - CK Edition

The Light Up the Night for Noelle - CK Edition is a community-focused evening event scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, in Chatham, Ontario. This annual run and walk takes place along the Mud Creek Trail to honor the legacy of Noelle Paquette. The event is characterized by its "glowing" theme, where participants use illuminated gear to light up the trail, creating a festive atmosphere dedicated to supporting local students through the Noelle’s Gift to Children charity.

Event Schedule and Logistics

The evening begins at 05:45 PM with race kit pick-up located inside Chatham Christian School (475 Keil Dr S). Participants receive a free T-shirt and glowing race swag as part of their entry. Opening ceremonies are held at 07:15 PM, followed by the staggered start of the races. To encourage group participation, a 10% discount is automatically applied to registrations of three or more people. The event is highly collaborative, with local school teams like Indian Creek Road P.S. and Tecumseh Public School leading current fundraising efforts toward the CA$25,000.00 goal.

Fundraising Mission

100% of the proceeds from the event benefit Noelle’s Gift, a charity that provides essential items—such as food, clothing, and educational tools—to students in the Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton areas. The charity was established to ensure that all children have the resources necessary to reach their full potential, continuing the work Noelle Paquette started as a dedicated primary school teacher.

Demographic and Regional Context

Chatham-Kent, Ontario (N7M) is a single-tier municipality with a population of approximately 104,000 residents. The demographic profile is predominantly 88.5% White, with significant representation from other groups, including 3.9% Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), 2.1% Black, 1.7% Latin American, and 1.5% South Asian. The region has a strong agricultural and automotive manufacturing heritage, with a median household income of approximately CA$78,000. The community is known for a high rate of volunteerism and a tight-knit support network for local educational initiatives.