Pulling for the United Way

By Lethbridge Herald on September 4, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

Members of the community pulled together to raise funds for the United Way of Lethbridge and South Western Alberta Wednesday afternoon, despite the smoky conditions. 

For the third year in a row, the United Way kicked off its Community Fundraising Campaign by hosting various teams of up to eight people to pull a city bus in the Canadian Tire South parking lot. 

Kyra Deblois with Norther & Company LLP Law Offices said her team wanted to support the Lethbridge community. 

“We have a great group of women from our office that are here to support and pull the bus hopefully across the finish line,” said Deblois. 

It was her first time doing something like that, but they were all excited to be able to give back to the community. 

Jaci Zalesak, executive director of the United Way of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, said the campaign’s goal is to raise money to be able to support partner agencies across the area.

“This is our third year of the pull the bus event, and this is a great event because it brings people together to help pull together to raise money for our community to alleviate poverty,” said Zalesak. 

Teams of up to eight participants competed to pull a 24,000-pound city transit bus for 75 feet. The event was timed, and prizes were awarded for the top fundraising team, the fastest team, and the team that showed the most determination. 

She said every dollar matters and they appreciate all the effort put in by the businesses and organizations taking part of the campaign to raise funds for the United Way, so they can continue helping others in the community. 

“Every dollar matter, big or small the amount it doesn’t matter because it is a collective impact,” said Zalesak. 

She said the amount raised this year is a bit lower than last year so far, but the campaign will remain open for a while to give the companies involved an opportunity to continue fundraising. 

The United Way Community Fundraising Campaign runs from September through December, with a goal of $300 000. 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. 

“We are hoping to exceed that because the demand for agency funding continues to go up, more demand for services is there and the cost of doing the programming is growing,” said Zalesak. 

She said some of the programs they support include the baby bundle program, Big Brothers Big Bisters, and food security programs in Pincher Creek. 

“Some agencies don’t have fund development programs, so that’s what United Way is doing by helping them support those gaps, or sometimes agencies don’t have access to grants to top up programs, so that’s where United Way comes in,” said Zalesak. 

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