BAPS Charities hosted the 2026 Spirit of Service Walk-Run, uniting more than 50,000 participants across over 100 cities in Canada and the United States in support of local nonprofit organizations. The nationwide initiative highlighted the values of community service, volunteerism, and civic engagement in action.
On June 20, 2026, the BAPS Charities Walk-Run in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, brought together over 200 participants for a day dedicated to service, health, and community engagement. The event encouraged individuals and families to come together in support of two beneficiaries: the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation and the William Osler Health System Foundation.
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation supports specialized pediatric and maternal care at Saskatchewan’s only dedicated children’s hospital. The foundation raises vital funds to enhance care, advance research, and provide life-saving equipment for children, babies, and expectant mothers across the province.
The William Osler Health System is one of the largest community health care systems in the country, comprising three integrated hospitals: Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital, and the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.
Participants of all ages took part in the walk/run, reflecting the community’s shared commitment to service, health, and giving back. The event was honoured by the presence of the following elected officials and community leaders, who participated alongside volunteers and supporters to demonstrate their support for the charitable cause:
– Councillor Bev Dubois, Saskatoon City Councillor for Ward 9
– Laura Gawletz , Senior Philanthropy & Stewardship Manager at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation
Councillor Bev Dubois said, “I’m really honoured to be here… I support you and this walk that you do is amazing, and it supports your charity and the Children’s, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, which is very important in our community… I’m very honoured to be here on behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Saskatoon, and I want to just thank you for all of the work you do. I want to thank all the volunteers, and the organizers, and the sponsors, because really without them, this walk would not happen, the money would not be raised for the charities, and good things wouldn’t happen in our community and all the communities, the 14 communities you talked about across the country. And so you’re joining over 5,000 people walking today. Thank you so much for the work you do.”
Laura Gawletz said, “What we do is we dedicate our time to inspiring philanthropy so that we can enhance healthcare for our children and our families. And so with you being here today, it takes everyone lacing up and coming out and raising funds so that we can improve our technology and our equipment, our programs that support our kids and families and our moms, as well as really innovate and go that next level and connect with our research. And that’s what we do. You can see Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital across the river there, and it’s serving over 85,000 visits from children, moms-to-be, and newborns and adolescents across this whole province. And so what you do matters so much… It takes the whole community coming together… Thank you for continuing to support the kids and families in your province.”
Through more than 1,200 walkathons organized over the past two decades, BAPS Charities has supported meaningful causes while fostering unity, compassion, and well-being in communities. The BAPS Charities Walk-Run continues to demonstrate how volunteerism and civic engagement can bring communities together and inspire future generations.
