Stefano’s Stories: thank you volunteers

April 2024

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew

It can be so easy to get wrapped up in our busy and bustling schedules, and at Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba we’re so grateful for volunteers who make the time to help kids in hospital. From April 14 – 20 we celebrate volunteer week, but countless volunteers make an impact for child health all year long.

It’s thanks to the time, talent and dedication of volunteers that the Foundation is bringing back Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Sunday, September 8 at Assiniboine Park for the 35^th event.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic is a Manitoba tradition started by a group of volunteers more than 35 years ago. The event features activity tents, including the Dr. Goodbear Clinic put on by frontline staff from HSC Children’s Hospital, where kids’ teddy bears are triaged and go through a variety of medical tests and treatments including MRIs, X-rays, casting; and the I Want to be a Scientist tent put on by Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) that encourages imagination in fun science-based activities and showcases how they can be used in medical settings.

The goal of Teddy Bears’ Picnic is to deliver a fun day for families, while also providing kids with a developmentally appropriate understanding of what may occur in a hospital or research environment so they may feel comfortable in health care settings.

Since its inception, Teddy Bears’ Picnic has welcomed over 1 million children, their teddy bears, and families. For 33 years, until the worldwide pandemic, the picnic happened every single year. COVID-19 prompted health restrictions and the staff vital to running the event, like health care teams at HSC Children’s Hospital, were needed to attend to urgent needs in the hospital and community. Now, the Foundation is ready to welcome the in-person return of this fun and exciting family event.

Sign up to volunteer for the 35^th annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic at goodbear.ca/TeddyBearsPicnic.

Volunteers support kids and families who need HSC Children’s Hospital and CHRIM in so many ways, like the 300+ Children’s Hospital Book Market team hosting yet another sale April 26 – 27 at St. Vital Centre and the Children’s Hospital Guild of Manitoba members who run the Nearly New Shop and put on events like the upcoming High Tea on April 20 and a fashion show in the fall.   

We’d also love to recognize the creative and innovative gala committee team that hosts Ice Crystal Gala. The 2023 groovy-themed event was named a finalist for the Canadian Event Awards and you can now secure your spot for the 2024 Rhinestone Rodeo-themed gala on Saturday, November 9 at goodbear.ca/IceCrystalGala. Plus, the Children’s Hospital Golf Tournament committee breaks fundraising records year after year, and since 2019 – in partnership with Keeping Kenzi Close – has raised over $1.2 million to help the 140,000 kids who need HSC Children’s Hospital each year.

Kid and families who have needed our Children’s Hospital also volunteer their time and courageously share their stories to ensure others get the same great care. Every day Champion Children and Foundation Families inspire our generous donors and make a difference. 

There are too many wonderful volunteers to name them all, and we’re so grateful for this incredible community of support.

Our time is so limited, so it means the absolute world when volunteers give from their hearts and share precious hours, days, weeks, and years to make an impact for child health care and research. Thank you to every single kind-hearted volunteer helping to #GiveBetterFutures.

Your present is changing their future.