Stefano’s Stories: Grateful for a year of meaningful support

January 2024

Dear supporters,

As we reflect on many beautiful moments that defined our journey in 2023, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is thrilled to share a few heartwarming highlights of dedication and generosity.

We started the year with significant inspiration from our past Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Champion, Keira, who raised over $17,000 for sick and injured kids! Then, we welcomed 2023 Champion Child, Pacey, to bravely represent the 140,000 children who need care each year at HSC Children’s Hospital. Pacey spoke at events and ran his own fundraising initiatives with Victory Lanes Speedway and the Winkler Flyers. His passion for helping other kids is incredible and we thank him for continuing to be a Champion amid his ongoing health needs.

The Foundation, with support from our Indigenous Advisory Circle, furthered our commitment to action toward truth and reconciliation. Team members made a meaningful visit to Turtle Lodge where Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members shared stories and reminders to act with love, respect, and understanding in all that we do, and to best support the children and families at the hospital. Learn more at goodbear.ca/Reconciliaction.

It was a fun year for visits to the kids in hospital… Winnipeg-born, NHL superstar, Mark Stone, brought the Stanley Cup, Blue Bombers and Jets players made special visits, and local celebs read on CHTV during “I Love to Read” month!  In October, kids looked out the windows to wave at superheroes and cartoon characters as they repelled down the walls of Children’s Hospital. Suspended Superheroes was made possible by volunteers, and special superheroes-in-training who also raised over $30,000. Watch the video at goodbear.ca/Superheroes.

We had so many volunteers doing amazing work this year, including the Children’s Hospital Guild coordinating fun events and running the Nearly New shop, and the Book Market (supported by over 400 volunteers!) ran three sales, which together raised over $508,000!

Staff and volunteers also helped with a record-breaking year for the Foundation’s signature events. Dr. Goodbear golfers raised more than $270,000 in the spring, and families, volunteers, donors, and supporters got groovy at the Ice Crystal Gala in November, raising $830,000! There was incredible online generosity during Giving Tuesday, with Qualico and anonymous donors who tripled the impact of all donations that day, bringing in over $289,000! In December – thanks to Outlet Collection Mall for hosting, Johnston Group as presenting sponsor and the many sponsors involved – we reintroduced our live on location Dr. Goodbear’s Hope for the Holidays Give-a-thon with KiSS 102.3 and 92.1 CITI – a wonderful day of sharing family stories.

There have been so many great supporters this year such as Kali Dyck Foundation, Sikh Society, iA Financial, Emergent BioSolutions, Manitoba Credit Unions, BMO, TD, the Talbot Family foundations, our many media partners, and so many more (we can’t fit them all in one letter!). Several retail partners also helped again this year, including Walmart stores in Manitoba that celebrated a $5 million fundraising milestone! We appreciate all our CMN and Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations (CCHF) partners. Immense gratitude goes out to all supporters for the contributions and dedication that is shaping a brighter tomorrow for the children who need Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM). Please be sure to check our Annual Reports in a few months to learn more about the many more amazing supporters who help.

And of course – thank you to the entire health care team of doctors, nurses, specialists, and other team members who are dedicated day in and out to caring for kids.

All this wonderful support is helping #GiveBetterFutures to kids who need Manitoba’s Children’s Hospital. In fact – a huge milestone, thanks to generous community members like you – is that we’re now only 10% away from the Better Future’s campaign goal of $75 million. We are witnessing the impact of your generosity, every day, with the smiles of the children now being served by the new heart centre, catheterization lab, mental health play space, child life programs, pediatric research and more. Thank YOU!

The Foundation team is truly appreciative of these important moments and incredible people who continue to support of kids in our community. For 2024, let’s continue nurturing care and hope for our children.

Your present is changing their future.