Saskatchewan Blue Cross in Your Community: Giving Tuesday, Fall and Winter Initiatives
As the end of 2024 draws near, Saskatchewan Blue Cross is proud to support various initiatives and organizations making a difference across our province. As a not-for-profit organization, our purpose is centered around creating purposeful impact and serving community needs by reinvesting into Saskatchewan communities.
As part of that purpose, we’re proud to participate in Giving Tuesday, the world’s largest generosity movement. On December 3, you can join the movement dedicated to giving back by volunteering, fundraising, or getting inspired by acts of kindness occuring across the country! Learn more about Giving Tuesday and how you can get involved here.
Giving Tuesday at Saskatchewan Blue Cross
Check out a few ways we’re celebrating Giving Tuesday and the holiday season with our community:
Friendship Inn
The Friendship Inn is a vital community hub in Saskatoon, serving up to 1,000 free meals daily to individuals and families in need. Operating year-round, the Inn offers a safe and welcoming space for those experiencing poverty while providing essential programs and services. This Giving Tuesday, Saskatchewan Blue Cross is proudly supporting the Inn’s mission to nourish and uplift the community during the holiday season. If you’d like to learn more or support their mission, click here.
Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre
Nēwo-Yōtina is a vital resource, offering culturally enriched programs and services; the Centre supports individuals transitioning to urban life and connects them to resources that promote their social and economic well-being. In honour of Giving Tuesday, Saskatchewan Blue Cross contributed a financial donation to Nēwo-Yōtina, helping them to continue to be a first point of contact and a stepping-stone toward building a stronger community. If you’re interested in supporting their important work, click here.
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission
For over 30 years, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has been a lifeline for those in need, offering meals, shelter, addiction recovery programs and more across Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Blue Cross donated to Souls Harbour this Giving Tuesday, helping to extend its life-changing services to even more people. If you’d like to learn more or support their mission, click here.
Other Fall and Winter initiatives
Each year, through our Community Investment Program, we invest in over 250 initiatives, events and organizations that share our commitment to empowering Saskatchewan residents on their journey to health and wellness, prioritizing partnerships that foster Health Literacy, build community connections and create lasting impacts. In addition to our Giving Tuesday initiatives, learn more about some of the other ways we’re investing in communities this Fall and Winter season:
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon
The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon is Saskatchewan’s largest annual maternal and pediatric fundraiser. Saskatchewan Blue Cross is thrilled to support this annual, province-wide event that not only raises funds for urgent needs but raises the spirits of our entire community. Each year, the inspirational broadcast provides a glimpse into life within the walls of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, featuring stories from Saskatchewan children, families and medical staff.
This year’s event supported Little Hearts and Little Lungs, focusing on revolutionizing cardiac care for young cardiac patients. We were pleased to continue our commitment to the Radiothon with a $25,000 donation.
Enchanted Forest Light Walk
In November, we were excited to welcome back the Saskatchewan Blue Cross Light Walk! The BHP Enchanted Forest Holiday Light Display is hosted by the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation and the City Hospital Foundation at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park. In its 26-year history, it has raised over $5,000,000 and is one of Saskatoon’s best holiday traditions. You can celebrate the holiday spirit in Saskatoon by driving through the Enchanted Forest tour from now until January 5, 2024.
Make A Wish Trees of Joy
The Trees of Joy initiative pairs corporate donors with Wish Kids to create custom holiday trees tailored to each child’s vision. The Trees of Joy program spreads cheer to Wish families and funds future wishes for children with critical illnesses. Saskatchewan Blue Cross is proud to be part of the Trees of Joy again this year, with the opportunity to build two Wish Trees with teams of volunteers from within our organization.
RMHC-SK Saskatoon House Party
The Saskatchewan Blue Cross is thrilled to be the Family Sponsor of the inaugural Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan (RMHC-SK) Saskatoon House Party. Proceeds from the event directly support families caring for sick children, ensuring they have a comforting home away from home during challenging times.