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This December, hundreds of our Morris County neighbors will trade their beds for sleeping bags. Homeless Solutions, Inc. (HSI) is hosting its 7th Annual A Night in the Cold on Friday, December 4, 2026, with participants spending one night outside to raise funds and awareness for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Morris County.
The home base, known as ANITC HQ, is the turf football field at Morristown High School. HSI expects about 250 participants there, and anyone who would rather take part closer to home can join the Cold Collective from a backyard, porch or other safe outdoor spot.
A Night in the Cold 2026: The Details
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026, overnight into Saturday, December 5.
- Where: ANITC HQ on the turf at Morristown High School, 50 Early Street, Morristown, NJ 07960, or anywhere safe outdoors through the Cold Collective.
- Registration: $40 for everyone who registers by November 2. After November 2, it is $45, with ANITC HQ registration open through November 30 and Cold Collective registration open through December 4.
- Fundraising: the registration fee counts toward your goal. HSI suggests raising $500 per participant, and fundraising closes Sunday, December 6, at 12 PM.
- Event goal: $240,000 for Homeless Solutions.
- Extras: the first 200 people to register receive a free A Night in the Cold T shirt.
- Register or donate: A Night in the Cold 2026 on PledgeIt
What Happens at ANITC HQ in Morristown
The evening is designed to build understanding, encourage empathy and inspire action for people facing housing instability. Here is the schedule HSI has posted for Morristown High School:
- 6:30 PM to 8 PM: check in at the football field, set up your tent and enjoy a free, simple dinner in the cafeteria.
- 8 PM: the program begins, with remarks from Homeless Solutions President and CEO Jaclyn Stoll and local dignitaries, a firsthand account from a shelter guest, and the interactive Hand Up Journey, a series of learning stations about the challenges people face while navigating homelessness.
- 10 PM: sign off and lights out. The field lights go off at 10 PM per town regulations, while other exterior lighting stays on for safety.
- 6 AM to 7:45 AM Saturday: a simple breakfast.
- 7 AM to 8 AM: wake up announcements, final reflections and tent breakdown.
- 8 AM: the official end of the event.
Good to Know Before You Go
- A warming area is available in the cafeteria, and dinner and breakfast are provided.
- Park in the school’s Atno Avenue lot by the football field. All cars enter by the MHS digital sign on Atno Avenue, and volunteers will direct you.
- Only registered ANITC HQ participants with completed waivers may enter, and space is limited to 300 attendees.
- All students must be accompanied by a responsible adult on site.
- The site is secure and monitored overnight, bags are checked, and volunteer police officers, a nurse and a firefighter are on hand.
- Please leave pets at home.
Join the Cold Collective From Home
Not able to make it to Morristown? The Cold Collective lets individuals and teams sleep outside in their own backyard, car, garage, porch or other safe outdoor space while staying connected to ANITC HQ through social media. Follow along with #HSINIGHTINTHECOLD.
A Night in the Cold is open to all ages and all kinds of groups, including families, schools, faith communities, sports teams, scout troops and businesses.
A Morris County Tradition
Morristown High School students play a big part in the event. HSI says the school’s Key Club and student athletes have embraced it, including the MHS Softball team, which is supporting A Night in the Cold for the 5th year in a row, along with MHS football players. Students from Morristown Beard School are returning as participants and fundraisers too.
Past community participants have included Morris Plains Police Chief Michael Koroski, Morristown Council Member Nathan Umbriac and Mount Arlington Mayor Mike Stanzilis.
As of October 28, the 2026 sponsors listed on the event page are Main Street Wealth Management and The Gulish Group (Warmth Sponsors), Santander Bank (T Shirt Sponsor), the Rotary Club of Madison (Shelter Supporter Sponsor) and Webster Plumbing & Heating (Friend of HSI).
About Homeless Solutions
Homeless Solutions has helped people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Morris County since 1983, guided by the philosophy “A Hand UP, not a HandOUT.” Its continuum of housing includes the Main Shelter, the Transitional Housing Program for families, a Warming Center for people living unsheltered during the winter, Mt. Kemble Home for senior women, the Women’s Campus for single women, and 72 units of affordable rental housing that HSI owns and operates across the county.
In 2025, HSI sheltered 227 people between its main shelter and Transitional Housing and provided 47,469 meals, according to the organization. Every dollar raised through A Night in the Cold helps provide shelter, essential services and programs that help people move toward safe, stable housing.
How to Register, Donate or Get Involved
- Register or donate: A Night in the Cold 2026 fundraising page
- Event page: homelesssolutions.org/anitc
- Website: homelesssolutions.org
- Questions or sponsorship: JulieHess@hsinj.org or 973.993.0900 ext. 118
- Instagram: @hsi_nj
- Facebook: Homeless Solutions
Details are current as of October 28, 2026. Check the event page for the latest schedule and registration information before you go.
A Night in the Cold FAQ
When is A Night in the Cold 2026?
Friday, December 4, 2026, into the morning of Saturday, December 5. At ANITC HQ at Morristown High School, check in starts at 6:30 PM, the program begins at 8 PM and the event officially ends at 8 AM Saturday.
Where is ANITC HQ?
On the turf football field at Morristown High School, 50 Early Street, Morristown, NJ. Parking is in the school’s Atno Avenue lot by the football field, and cars enter by the MHS digital sign on Atno Avenue.
How much does it cost to register?
Registration is $40 through November 2. After that it is $45, with ANITC HQ registration open through November 30 and Cold Collective registration open through December 4. The registration fee counts toward your fundraising goal.
Can I take part from home?
Yes. The Cold Collective lets individuals, families and teams sleep outside in a backyard, car, garage, porch or another safe outdoor space and follow along with #HSINIGHTINTHECOLD.
How can I donate if I am not participating?
You can donate through the A Night in the Cold 2026 fundraising page on PledgeIt, which supports Homeless Solutions.
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