Ultramarathon cyclist and philanthropist Arvid Loewen is at it again. On July 1, the 63-year-old North Kildonan resident began an attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for the farthest distance cycled in one month (30 days). A UK man set the current record of 11,315 km. in 2017. As of July 22, Loewen is on pace to beat the record. As with each major cycling endeavour Loewen has undertaken since 2005, the Guinness World Record attempt is a platform to raise money for Mully Children’s Family, an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, that helps thousands of children. Over the years, Loewen has raised more than $4 million for the orphanage. Follow Loewen’s journey and make a donation at grandpascan.com.
Hit the links in support of Winnipeg Harvest
Winnipeg Harvest is holding its Lee Newton Memorial Golf Tournament on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at St. Boniface Golf Club. Social distancing and COVID-19 protocols will be in effect. The cost for individual golfers is $195, which includes: one round of 18-hole golf with shared golf cart; bottled water and granola bars, plus a player goods bag with complimentary beverage ticket; and lunch/dinner at on-course food stations. The tournament raises funds for Harvest, which feeds more than 70,000 Manitobans through its provincial network of 300-plus food banks and partner agencies. Register by July 31 at winnipegharvest.org/events/golf.
Help Variety by driving ‘fore’ the kids
Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba is excited to announce that its 2020 Drive “Fore” the Kids Golf Classic is not cancelled. It will take place on Monday, Aug. 31 at Niakwa Country Club. “(The pandemic) has changed the way we will be able to execute some of the course activities, but we will still make sure to offer a very fun-filled day for all our golfers while still adhering to the COVID-19 government guidelines,” the charity promises on its website. The cost is $1,400 for teams of four or $350 for individual golfers. Numerous sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Variety provides direct assistance to children in Manitoba living with special needs and experiencing economic disadvantage. Visit varietymanitoba.com/driveforethekids for details.
Podcast offers tips and strategies for fundraisers
If you are a non-profit leader, marketer or fundraiser who is looking for practical tips and strategies to help you in your work, the Build Good Podcast is for you. Hosted by Mike Duerksen, a fundraising and donor communications professional based in Winnipeg, the Build Good Podcast features interviews with experts from across North America. Recent episodes have explored why donor data matters; why donor acquisition is still important in the midst of a pandemic; and how to handle tough questions from donors, employees and the media. Listen today at buildgood.org/podcast.
Pandemic resources from Volunteer Manitoba
Volunteer Manitoba has created a page on its website featuring a list of resources for non-profits that are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources include five webinars exploring the following topics: pandemic preparedness; planning and facilitating virtual meetings; getting the word out using social media; volunteer screening in times of urgency; and how to address human resources challenges during the pandemic. Visit volunteermanitoba.ca/covid-19-resources.
Save the date for a night of wonders
The Manitoba and Nunavut chapters of the Children’s Wish Foundation and Make-a-Wish Foundation of Canada have rescheduled their annual Night of Wonders fundraiser for Friday, Sept. 18. It will take place at the RBC Convention Centre starting at 6:00 p.m. Children’s Wish Foundation has worked for more than 30 years to grant wishes to more than 25,000 children and families. Night of Wonders contributes to a substantial portion of the organization’s annual revenue. “Night of Wonders encapsulates the essence of wishes—creating joy, awe and wonder,” according to the event’s website. “We are confident you too will be inspired by the profound joy and transformation a wish can bring to a child with a life-threatening illness.” Go to nightofwonders.ca/winnipeg to buy a ticket or make a donation.