Defying gravity in support of Manitobans with disabilities
On a sunny August morning, President and CEO Benjamin Graham and Director of Sales David Tompkins rappelled 272 feet down the side of the Manitoba Hydro building.
But this wasn’t a stunt for the next Mission-Impossible movie (Tom Cruise has yet to return our calls). After a two-year hiatus, the adrenaline-filled Easter Seals Drop Zone was back!
The annual Drop Zone event raises funds for Manitoba Possible and the provincial affiliate of Easter Seals. Both organizations work to enhance the well-being of Manitobans with disabilities.
While they couldn’t wear blue suede shoes for safety reasons, Ben and Dave donned matching Elvis outfits and took home the Team Costume prize.
“Supporting Manitobans with disabilities is a critical part of maintaining a healthy and happy province,” Graham said. “It’s an honour to support the Easter Seals and Manitoba Possible, who share our daily commitment to making Manitoba an even better place in which to live, work and play.”
Participating in the Drop Zone itself was an amazing experience, Graham added.
“Going over the edge was a scary proposition, especially when Dave was flying down. Once over the edge and into a rhythm, it was exhilarating!”
Tompkins agreed.
"At the start, I was thinking ‘No way!’” he said. “But as I got going, I became quite exhilarated and settled in and enjoyed the experience.”
Initial projections indicate that this year’s event raised over $70,000. With funding from donors, Manitoba Possible and Easter Seals offer programs for independence building, recreation and service navigation, cultural services for newcomers with disabilities and more.
“Supporting great causes like the Easter Seals and Manitoba Possible helps build communities that we all benefit from,” Tompkins says. “And participating as a company allows us to truly live the Colour of Caring.”
For more information about this year’s Drop Zone 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.