Salopek & Associates 2nd Annual Run to Renew was held on June 24th, and as promised, we wanted to share with everyone an update on it’s success in raising funds and awareness for the Calgary Food Bank.
For our 2nd year of Run to Renew, our goal was simply to increase the amount raised and number of participants from our inaugural run last year, at which we had 11 participants and raised $3,426. This year we were blown away by the energy and enthusiasm Run to Renew received, with 28 people joining us to run / walk, helping to raise $5,400 for the Calgary Food Bank! To date, this is a combined total of $8,826 that Run to Renew has raised to help put healthy food on the table for Calgarians in need.
Why We Run
Years ago, President of Salopek & Associates, Janet Salopek, and I talked about wanting to start a fundraising initiative that meant something to us, our company and the communities we work in that we could grow and develop along with our business. An initiative that gave back to the community and encompassed our corporate values of building relationships, teamwork, continuous improvement and balanced lifestyle. Held half way through the year, Run to Renew encourages participants to revisit resolutions made in January and get back on track working towards a healthy goal that might push them physically. The summer also coincides with a time of year when donations to the Calgary Food Bank are fewer and not at the forefront of peoples minds – the need is still strong, and 100% of funds raised from Run to Renew directly replenish food supplies available to Calgarians.
In our 2nd year of the run I was amazed by the support and participation we received from our friends, family and professional network. Personally, it touched my heart and gave me great hope for the years to come of Salopek’s Run to Renew. While our numbers started small I know they will continue to grow, and I can see that the impact we are making is real and valuable – not just for the Calgary Food Bank, but for each other, our business and our community. For Salopek, why we run is clear:
We Run Because We Care – There is something in my heart that swells when I think of what $8,826 (raised to date) worth of food will mean to Calgarians who really need it. Caring about people in need is a big part of Run to Renew, but caring about ourselves and getting back on track with fitness goals heading into the summer was also a motivator for the Run. Caring about our colleagues was another big piece – we want members of our team to have time to be active, enjoy work life balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Everyone who is running / walking with us or has donated is demonstrating that they care – thank you to our colleagues, peers, clients, friends and family for supporting this initiative.
We Run to Cultivate Culture – Salopek’s corporate culture has a family feel, not only because it is a family business, but because our team today consists of consultants who have been with us for many years, knowing where we started and growing with us to where we are today. With a large portion of our work done virtually, the opportunities for us to come together are important, and while we regularly connect for coffee, after work drinks or team meetings, Run to Renew, with its focus on active lifestyle and giving back, truly encompasses the culture we try to cultivate at Salopek. To see members of our team running / walking or supporting the Run through donations and spreading the word speaks volumes about the culture we have successfully built and actively work to maintain.
We Run to Support Calgarians – As a Calgary born and based business, we care deeply about the well-being of people who make our city so great. The past couple years have been very hard for Alberta – the economic downturn has left many professionals unemployed and the need for charitable donations is higher than ever with fewer people able to donate. Last year, the timing couldn’t have been better to kick off our Run to Renew, and we are proud of the efforts we have made to rally resources for the 170,000+ Calgarians who visited the Food Bank last year (40% of which were children). Our city is resilient, and we know that in coming years Calgary will continue to rebound, but regardless of good or hard times, the Run will be held annually to provide an opportunity for Salopek’s team and those who join us to give back to Calgary professionals, business owners, families, neighbors and peers who are experiencing tough times.
Thank you to everyone who donated and participated in our 2017 Run to Renew. We look forward to once again increasing our participation and funds raised in our next Run to Renew and would ask that you please help us spread the word to help maximize the impact we can make together to help Calgarians in need.
Interested in developing a fundraising or team building activity within your organization that gives back to the community? Salopek & Associates would love to discuss with you the benefits these activities can bring to improve engagement, retention and build culture. Contact us anytime – we would be happy to share ideas that will support your team, business and our communities.