‘Had to make something out of it’: baby’s memory fuels mom’s fundraising

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Tragedy plus time equals volunteerism for Corinne Kopansky.

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Tragedy plus time equals volunteerism for Corinne Kopansky.

Last May, Kopansky received a Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award at the 41st annual Volunteer Awards in recognition of her fundraising efforts for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

The 45-year-old Winnipegger got involved with the foundation after the heartbreaking loss of her baby daughter, Kenzi, who died in 2015 of acute appendicitis.

Corinne Kopansky volunteers her time chairing the organizing committee for the Children's Hospital Foundation's annual golf tournament. (Mike Deal / Free Press)
Corinne Kopansky volunteers her time chairing the organizing committee for the Children's Hospital Foundation's annual golf tournament. (Mike Deal / Free Press)

Kopansky remembers Kenzi as a “mama’s girl” who never cried.

“She was always giggling, she was always happy,” Kopansky says. “Tiny hands, tiny feet, big blue eyes and she loved her brother. She thought he was the funniest.”

Kenzi was six months old when she died.

“I had to make something out of it. I had to make the world a better place, because that’s what she did,” Kopansky says. “I don’t take credit for what I do — it goes to her. She’s just working through me.”

On Kenzi’s first birthday, Kopansky, her husband Kris and their son Aiden held a block party in front of their home. They donated the presents Kenzi would have received to the Children’s Hospital and also raised $1,000.

The Kopanskys donated the money to the emergency room, where the medical team had worked so hard to keep their little girl alive.

They dubbed their initiative Keeping Kenzi Close and the block party became an annual event for a few years.

Today, Corinne Kopansky chairs the foundation’s annual golf tournament. Through her leadership, the committee has raised $1.2 million for vital hospital equipment, cutting edge research and programs aimed at providing comfort to children in care.

Volunteer opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba needs a volunteer to engage with people with dementia and their partners at the Memory Café in Selkirk. People enjoy refreshments, table games and visits from local musicians, authors, artists and others at the site. The person will help with setup and cleanup. The program runs biweekly on Tuesdays, from this week until Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The time commitment is 9:30 a.m. to noon. Apply at sierradueck@alzheimer.mb.ca or 204-943-6622 by Sept. 29.

The Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba needs one or two people to join its finance committee, which is composed of members and public representatives. The committee ensures the development of processes, accountability and performance measures that will maintain the association’s financial integrity. The committee meets approximately every six weeks, usually via Zoom in the evening. The work between meetings is done by association staff members, with occasional consultation from committee members. Applicants must be able to understand and discuss financial, operational and human resources matters in a non-profit organization and to review budgets and financial reports. Apply at jkristjansson@arnm.ca by Sept. 30.

Golden Links Lodge needs recreational assistants to help with setup and take down for activities, and to encourage residents to engage in the games and entertainment. They must be able to communicate with patience and understanding, follow directions and help create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The opportunity requires a criminal record check, with the cost reimbursed. Apply at gllbusinessoffice@goldenlinks.mb.ca or 204-257-9947, ext. 221, by Dec. 30.

NorWest Co-op Community Health needs market assistants for its community food centre. Volunteers help staff members with shopping, loading and unloading the van, setting up and taking down markets, taking orders and handling payments. Good verbal communication skills are necessary, as is a respectful and positive attitude. This opportunity is open to individuals or small groups during daytime hours. Go to wfp.to/Wnz for more information on the locations and times, and to apply. The deadline is Dec. 31.

Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (NEEDS) is seeking remote after-school volunteer mentors. Volunteers will offer tutoring in subject areas such as English, math, science and social studies. The opportunity involves evening commitments during the school year and requires volunteers to commit at least 2.5 hours per week for a minimum of three months. Candidates should be responsible, reliable, patient and have a commitment to being a positive role model. Experience working with youth is beneficial but not mandatory. Apply at wfp.to/iJU, volunteers@needsinc.ca or 204-940-1279 by Dec. 31.

Buhler Gallery, located inside St. Boniface Hospital, needs volunteers. A one-hour orientation is happening at 2 p.m. on Sept. 12, and there will be volunteer applications there. Anyone with questions is asked to call volunteer services at 204-237-2442. Apply at wfp.to/iJm by Sept. 26.

Culture Days Manitoba needs volunteers for Nuit Blanche Winnipeg on Sept. 27. Thousands of art enthusiasts, cultural animators and other Winnipeggers gather downtown to celebrate and explore contemporary art one Saturday night each fall. Volunteers will work with attendees, artists and arts organizations during the celebration. They must be available from 5:30 p.m. that day until midnight Sunday. The shifts are four hours long. Apply at wfp.to/ilf by Sept. 27.

March of Dimes Canada needs digital fundamental support coaches for its SkillingUp program. This program helps people with disabilities across Canada become engaged in the digital world and build related digital skills. Volunteers will provide remote assistance so people can understand, access and use the technology. The amount of support required, and the cadence of sessions, will be based on the service user’s technology goals. Coaches can take on several matches lasting from one session to several weeks. Volunteers must have basic tech knowledge, access to a personal computer equipped with a camera and speaker/microphone as well as a stable internet connection, and a quiet work environment to ensure privacy and no interruptions or distractions. They must also have excellent communication skills, patience and willingness to learn about various disabilities and barriers. Apply at wfp.to/ilG by Dec. 31.

The Canadian Red Cross Society needs volunteers in Manitoba for programs such as Smart Start and Disaster Risk Reduction. These roles involve leading sessions on climate change and emergency preparedness, and require effective communication skills and cultural sensitivity. Volunteers might also join the emergency responder and personal disaster assistance teams to help during disasters. Training and background checks are mandatory. This opportunity offers experience in public speaking and crisis management. Send a resumé to SmartStart@RedCross.ca by Dec. 31.

Together Project, in collaboration with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba, has launched the Welcome Group Program. It connects refugee newcomers and volunteers to build stronger, more integrated communities. Together Project matches newcomers with “welcome groups” (usually three to five volunteers) for three to six months. Volunteers receive training to provide social support to refugees, focused on their unique integration priorities such as language learning, finding employment, accessing health care and building social connections. Email Alejandra Reverditto Galvez with any questions at alejandra@togetherproject.ca. Apply at wfp.to/iJ4.

Kopansky is a full-time professional photographer as well as a restaurateur who has worked in the food service industry for three decades. She and Kris own Bull & Filly, a restaurant and lounge they opened in North Kildonan’s Nor-Villa Hotel last year.

Kopansky uses her connections in the restaurant industry to make sure there are food and drink vendors at each hole during the golf tournament. She also drives around in a golf cart on the day of the event, speaking with participants to ensure they’re having a good time and occasionally sharing her family’s story.

“It’s a way to keep my daughter’s name alive so people don’t forget about her and it’s my way of giving back in lieu of her losing her life,” Kopansky says of her involvement with the tournament. “It’s how I can make sure our hospital is as equipped as they can be with top-of-the-line equipment and research so that the children have a chance at life.”

The golf tournament raises around $250,000 annually, says Stefano Grande, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation. He describes Kopansky as a positive, energetic and generous person.

“(She’s) just a wonderful human being whose efforts have really had an impact on our foundation and the care we provide to (the) children in our province,” Grande says.

The way Kopansky talks about Kenzi and honours her memory is admirable, he adds.

“It takes a lot of courage for people like Corinne to speak to people about that (kind of loss), so the fact that she does it in such a beautiful way for this cause is very humbling,” Grande says. “We’re very grateful.”

Kopansky was in Edmonton supporting her nine-year-old son Crue’s hockey team in May when the volunteer awards were handed out, so she couldn’t attend the ceremony. She’s glad her son Aiden, who is 17, could accept the award from Mayor Scott Gillingham on her behalf.

“I’m proud that my son was able to see me as someone who gives back to the community,” she says. “I know he knows that but for him to be able to see it on that level was pretty cool.”

If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.

Aaron Epp

Aaron Epp
Reporter

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.

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Updated on Monday, September 8, 2025 6:44 AM CDT: Fixes photo cutline

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