Walk This Way: How United Way Winnipeg is making a difference

The annual event raises funds for Manitobans in need.

“Walk This Way is a fun, inclusive and meaningful way to show our community how far we can go when we go together,” according to United Way Winnipeg. “This annual challenge reminds us all that by working together, we can create opportunities for Winnipeggers to improve their circumstances and change their lives.”

Walk This Way 2024 raises $80K

This was the fifth year that United Way Winnipeg hosted the ACU-sponsored event, which serves to kick off their annual city wide fundraising campaign.

Over one week, thousands of participants walk, jog, roll and ride—on their own, with friends or with colleagues—to reach a collective distance goal. Participants track kilometres in a shared app called Movespring.com. When they reach the finish line, they unlock a massive contribution to United Way Winnipeg from local sponsors.

This year’s campaign saw 3,725 people take part, travelling an incredible 159,307 kilometres in support of United Way Winnipeg. The event raised $80,000 in funds for the charity. Over the last five years, Walk This Way sponsors have contributed nearly $500,000 to United Way Winnipeg’s work, helping neighbours in need.

“The Walk This Way fundraising event is a great example of what we can achieve by working united.  Together, we can support people to move out of poverty, make sure kids can be all they can be and build stronger and healthier communities,” says Kim Champion Taylor, Chief People & Brand Officer with ACU. 

How donations are helping Winnipeggers

Donations to United Way Winnipeg fuel a network of more than 125 agencies and programs that feed hungry kids, offer safe spaces for teens, protect families, offer job training, job counselling, and much more.

“Winnipeggers visit our donor-funded agencies over 2.4 million times every year,” said Austin Abas, United Way Winnipeg’s 2024 Campaign Chair. “Those are the Winnipeggers we’ve been walking for this week. It’s the reason we give our time and dollars—to make sure there’s somewhere to go and someone to offer help whenever anyone reaches out in need.”

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How will these funds be used?

For kids: to provide nutritious breakfasts to students; to help youth make meaningful cultural connections; to provide mentorship opportunities that can help build leadership skills; and to offer safe spaces to go after school.

For families: to support community centres that help with affordable groceries, laundry and Internet, as well as programs for parenting and tax assistance.

For people living in poverty: to meet basic needs including food; to offer job training that helps people find and earn a steady income; and to provide shelter, safety and addiction services for people experiencing homelessness.

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How workplaces can make a difference

Mona Gill, Director of Campaign and Partnership Development with United Way Winnipeg, remarks on the importance of workplace participation. “When workplaces participate in events like Walk This Way, they lead the way and show others the impact that working together can have on changing people’s lives.

“Workplace leadership in public challenges like Walk This Way also sets the example that this company is part of a culture of community caring that believes in contributing to a better city for everyone who lives here.”

ACU has partnered with United Way Winnipeg spanning over decades. ACU and SEED Winnipeg, an agency supported by United Way Winnipeg, co-developed an Immigration Loan Repayment program, which has provided debt relief to many families. Together, they’ve also delivered more than $16 million in tax refunds and benefits, thanks to income tax preparation services offered by SEED Winnipeg. According to Kim, these campaigns are invaluable.

“If you look at ACU and our role in financial services, what we’re looking to do is build stronger, healthier, sustainable communities. With many of the programs and services that United Way offers, there’s an important role that a financial services organization needs to play.

“We can’t build a stronger community on our own; partners are required,” she adds. “That’s absolutely why these two organizations work so well together and have such a long history.”

Workplace campaigns provide opportunities for employees to get involved and give back to their community, while developing a company culture of helping others and changing lives through meaningful experiences, contextual learning opportunities and inspirational action.

“Workplace campaigns are the heart and soul of our fundraising efforts through United Way Winnipeg,” says Mona. “These campaigns inspire donors to give, and help Winnipeggers change their lives.”

Interested in learning more about United Way Winnipeg and how you can help?

Visit https://unitedwaywinnipeg.ca/

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