Braving the heights in support of Manitobans with disabilities
On August 22, Barbie and Ken took to the skies and rappelled 272 feet down the side of Winnipeg’s Manitoba Hydro Place.
Although cameras were rolling, this wasn’t the set of the next Barbie movie. Once again, Drop Zone was back!
This adrenaline-filled, annual event raises funds for Manitoba Possible. The non-profit organization works to enhance the well-being of Manitobans with disabilities, which aligns with Manitoba Blue Cross’s own focus of supporting the health and wellness of ALL Manitobans.
"The mission of creating an inclusive and accessible society that eliminates barriers to full and equal participation is certainly a cause we can all stand behind,” said Luke Johnston, vice president and chief risk officer for Manitoba Blue Cross, who dressed up as Ken for the occasion. “I met several people at the event who were personally impacted by the positive work of Manitoba Possible.
“I’m not super scared of heights, but standing on the ledge of the Hydro building was a bit scary,” he said. “To get through it, I just didn’t look down the entire time! I was very happy when I got to the bottom."
The event was also a hit for Barbie – also known as Diane Sparrow Degrave, director of people and corporate services for Manitoba Blue Cross.
“What an amazing opportunity and experience!” she said. “The actual rappelling aspect was the main focus of the day, which was so much fun, but there were so many other aspects beyond the rappelling that made the day amazing. I met a 90-year-old woman who rappelled earlier in the day. I met another individual who explained she was there watching, as she planned to rappel in her wheelchair next year and she wanted to prepare herself for the experience. She is going to love it! And everyone wanted to take pictures with Barbie and Ken, which just brought a smile to my face.”
The morning of the event, almost $85,000 of the $100,000 goal had been raised. Thanks to funding from donors like Manitoba Blue Cross, Manitoba Possible offers programs for people with disabilities to support independence building, recreation and service navigation, employment preparation, cultural services and more.
“Eliminating barriers in our communities for everyone is so important, and that’s what Manitoba Possible strives to achieve,” said Sparrow Degrave. “Our community is only stronger when everyone has an opportunity to contribute and participate in it.”
For more information about the event, visit the Drop Zone website.
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.