Rain can’t dampen enthusiasm United Way fundraiser

By Lethbridge Herald on September 21, 2024.

Members of Lethbridge Police Service along with City of Lethbridge employees pull a Lethbridge Transit bus in the pouring rain as part of the United Way Community Fundraising Campaign kicked off Friday afternoon at Canadian Tire south parking lot. Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The United Way Community Fundraising Campaign kicked off Friday despite a heavy downpour and strong winds, with their annual “Pull the bus annual kick-off campaign” at the Canadian Tire south parking lot.

Flying tents, heavy rain and slippery asphalt did not stop various community organization’s teams from competing against each other to raise funds for the United Way of Lethbridge.

Teams of up to eight participants competed to pull a 24,000 pounds city transit bus a distance of 75 feet in the rain and Jaci Zalesak, Executive Director of United Way could not be more grateful for those who braved the elements to do so.

“I didn’t expect to be so rainy, but it means so much that our teams are out here pulling together, being strong and resilient and we are so happy to see a bunch of individuals coming together for a good cause,” said Zalesak.

She said they had a total of six teams, as some teams decided not to take part due to weather and not wanting to put their health at risk, but were still able to donate.

“The first team to pull the bus was the City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Police Service as they have a partnership together,” said Zalesak.

She said their goal for the kick off event was $10,000 and for the campaign as a whole their target is $250,000 between September and December.

These funds will enable United Way to invest in organizations that provide essential services, such as helping people access nutritious food, navigating complex government systems and ensuring children have the resources needed to thrive.

Over the last three years, grants from United Way’s Community Fund have supported programs in Southwestern Alberta organizations including

 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge & District, Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, Inclusion Lethbridge, Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Seniors Citizens Organization, Wood’s Homes and Youth One among others.

For more information on how to help, please contact United Way at 403-327-1700 or visit lethbridgeunitedway.ca