Manitoba Blue Cross smashes its United Way campaign record
With over $183,000 raised in 2025, a 23 per cent increase from last year, Manitoba Blue Cross has once again broken its United Way campaign record – a feat it has accomplished annually for the past five years.
“We were overjoyed with this year’s campaign, and we’re truly grateful for the enthusiastic participation and support from all the staff,” said Jackie Tapley, co-chair of Manitoba Blue Cross’s United Way campaign committee. "Everyone we talked to had an incredible experience, and there’s been increased interest this year in learning more about the United Way.”
This year, the campaign committee chose to highlight the local non-profit Main Street Project (MSP), which is supported by the United Way.
The campaign kicked off in the staff lounge with a presentation by MSP’s executive director, Jamil Mahmood. He discussed the critical role that United Way Winnipeg plays in supporting the organization’s important work.
“Even if you’re familiar with Main Street Project, hearing how many people they actually help every year is mind-blowing,” said Andrea Duncan, co-chair of the campaign committee. Last year, MSP gave out nearly 135,000 meals and had over 50,000 total stays in their shelter.
To help MSP in their mission to serve Winnipeg’s most vulnerable, the committee has been running a collection drive for clothes and supplies. They’re also participating in Socktober, MSP’s annual effort to collect 30,000 pairs of socks in October.
“Every bit counts and, as an organization, it’s an honour to do our part,” said Duncan.
Throughout the UW campaign, the committee also hosted a bake sale, silent auction, honey dill competition, United Way-themed film premiere, Winnipeg landmark-building contest and barbecue.
From all of us at Manitoba Blue Cross, we’d like to thank United Way Winnipeg for their outstanding work across the city.
“The United Way Winnipeg is incredible at partnering with so many local agencies to maximize the impact of every dollar donated,” said Tapley. “Their support helps provide essential services, whether it’s food security, mental health resources, housing support or youth programs and so much more.”
Also, a big congratulations to our United Way campaign team and all our employees for making our support of United Way possible. Since 2020, we’ve raised over $783,000 to support our city’s most vulnerable.
Manitoba Blue Cross funds warehouse space for Sleep in Heavenly Peace
The Sleep in Heavenly Peace building, sponsored by Manitoba Blue Cross, will provide ample space for bed construction, assembly and storage, streamlining the entire process and ensuring that more kids have access to a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
“A warm, safe bed should not be a luxury – it is a fundamental right. That’s why Manitoba Blue Cross is stepping up to support Sleep in Heavenly Peace for years to come,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “We are providing essential resources that Sleep in Heavenly Peace needs to expand their operations and reach more children in the community. This investment aligns with our own commitment to support the health and well-being of all Manitobans, and we are proud to play an ongoing role in ensuring no child sleeps on the floor.”
This new facility will allow SHP to:
- increase production capacity: With a large, dedicated space and the ability to build beds in the colder months, SHP volunteers can now build and assemble more than twice as many beds, reducing wait times for families in need.
- improve storage capabilities: The facility will provide secure storage for completed beds before delivery can occur while allowing for more efficient and timely delivery.
- enhance the volunteer experience: The workspace will create a more comfortable and efficient environment for volunteers – who are the backbone of SHP’s operations – to build and store beds all year long.
“This generous support from Manitoba Blue Cross is a game changer for us,” says Jim Thiessen, co-president of the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. “This new space will allow us to drastically increase the number of beds we build and deliver, ensuring that more children in our community have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. We currently build approximately 400 beds a year and we hope to now increase that to 1,000. We are incredibly grateful for Manitoba Blue Cross’s continued commitment to our mission.”
Join us in helping local children find comfort: Manitoba Blue Cross holds annual bedding drive
Support this valuable cause during our annual bedding drive. Donate new, twin-sized bedding items, including comforters, pillows and sheet sets for local children. Donations can be dropped off weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Manitoba Blue Cross (599 Empress Street in Winnipeg) until June 20.
Online donations toward bedding purchases can be made at https://bit.ly/50beds.
“Our focus at Manitoba Blue Cross is the health and well-being of all Manitobans. We’re committed to building healthier communities – one bed and one good night’s sleep at a time,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “The outpouring of support that Manitobans showed last year did not disappoint and this generosity helped to create safe havens for local kids. I’m certain the same community spirit that Manitoba is known for will be seen again this year.”
Manitoba Blue Cross holds second annual bed build event
“The bed build event that was held in 2024 to celebrate our 50th anniversary had a profound impact on our staff and myself. Building those beds at Blue Cross Park was incredibly inspiring. We had to turn away staff who wanted to participate,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “That hands-on work really connected us to this important cause, and I believe it also helped us build stronger bonds within our team.”
Employee volunteers from the health benefits provider, along with SHP volunteers, will be constructing 50 beds for local kids on June 6, 2025 at Blue Cross Park.
To encourage the community to support this valuable cause, Manitoba Blue Cross is also holding a bedding drive once again. Donate new, twin-sized bedding items, including comforters, pillows and sheet sets for local kids. Donations can be dropped off weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Manitoba Blue Cross (599 Empress Street in Winnipeg) until June 20.
Online donations toward bedding purchases can be made at https://bit.ly/50beds.