Moving mountains — and planes and hearts

The United Way has been serving Winnipeggers for 60 years, and creating opportunities for community members to improve their circumstances through a wide range of agencies and programs. JP Perron has been an active volunteer in different roles for 15 of those years.

“The United Way has by far the broadest network, providing services to all parts of society, 125 organizations located throughout the city from Tuxedo to Transcona, from Norwood to the North End,” said Perron, the 2025 volunteer campaign chairman.

“The United Way is in every part of the city. I’m happy to volunteer, because one person every 12 seconds will get the help they need from one of the service agencies. It feels good to support an organization that is there for all parts of Winnipeg. One never knows when one will need community in their lives,” he added.

Last month, the 60th fundraising campaign kicked off with thousands of people coming together to pull a plane, to demonstrate how the impossible becomes possible when people work together as a team.

More than 1,500 people united in strength to pull two giant planes across the tarmac.

“What an incredible day to come together and to be together,” Perron told the crowd at Red River College Polytech’s Stevenson Campus.

“Thank you for caring so much about Winnipeg — and each other.”

United Way Winnipeg has been operating locally since 1965. The organization provides supports related to equity and inclusion, truth and reconciliation, youth success, mental health and addictions. It also offers programming for families, vulnerable seniors, refugees, immigrants, the LGBTTQ+ community and others.

United Way a focuses on improvements in poverty, children’s healthy development and strong communities. Programs include everything from working to end homelessness, to providing money management skills for people who don’t have much money to work with. It helps fund healthy snack programs for kids and a “walking school bus” or chaperoned walk-to-school group, to make sure they are making it to school. United Way also supports Indigenous-led organizations and local family resource centres where parents can find help in their neighbourhoods.

“The United Way was founded through the spirit of labour and business coming together to make sure that there was a safety net for anybody who needed it at any point in their life,” said Perron.

“The United Way is so strong in Winnipeg. Winnipeggers truly care about each other and have a deep sense of community. There’s a reason why Manitoba continues to be the most generous province in Canada. Winnipeggers care about building a better city.

“All giving is good,” the passionate volunteer said. “With whatever organization someone has a connection to or a desire to support, all giving is good. While I’m honoured, we always get back more than we give. I have been very fortunate to see firsthand the incredible work that the agencies do. They are the heroes. It’s such a great way for organizations to rally, run a campaign, and quite frankly, to have fun.”

Perron came to the United Way with extensive management and leadership experience, including 12 years as president and CEO of Payworks. He retired from Payworks at the end of last year and now works full-time for community as a volunteer.

“I’m a firm believer that many hands make light work. Volunteers represent a critical component of society, doing what it needs to do, and operating in a way whereby people who volunteer feel fulfilled, and have an opportunity to meet new colleagues. It simply feels so good to give back. I mean that sincerely. I’m just very fortunate to have the opportunity to do it in this amazing city called Winnipeg.”

Perron appreciates being able to see Winnipeg from a different perspective, to recognize firsthand the work that’s being accomplished by all of the United Way agencies.

“What inspires me is when I see just how committed and how talented the agency partners are and how much they get joy from helping people in need.”

The United Way has always worked in service for the community, with a strong focus on volunteer leadership, from its board of trustees to its different committees and subcommittees — all of which are part of supporting the work. The ogranization currently has more than 500 volunteers.

Last year the campaign chair and his team raised $22.5 million for United Way Winnipeg. This year, Perron said the objective is to surpass that amount and raise even more.

“Our objective is always to encourage people to be part of community in however that connects best with them,” said Perron.

“Much like the way the United Way has been here for the past 60 years, it’s really incumbent on all of us to work together and learn from one another and ensure that we continue to grow the United Way for the next 60 years. Anybody who makes a donation to the United Way — it’s not just a donation. It’s an investment in someone’s life and that just feels amazing, to continue to share with Winnipeggers is good for your business and it’s good for you soul.”

More information can be found at unitedwaywinnipeg.ca.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca