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 28, 2026, the BAPS Charities Walk-Run in Montreal, Quebec, 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 William Osler Health System Foundation and the CNIB Foundation.
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.
The CNIB Foundation, formerly known as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, is a non-profit organization that delivers innovative programs and advocacy for people impacted by blindness.
Participants of all ages took part in the walk/run, reflecting the community’s shared commitment to service, health, and giving back. The event also welcomed Alan DeSousa, Mayor of the Borough of Saint-Laurent, Jacques Cohen, Borough Councillor for the District of Côte-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent and representatives from Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal, who participated alongside volunteers and supporters to demonstrate their support for the charitable cause.
Alan DeSousa said, “I am glad to be here with my colleague Jacques Cohen, who’s Councillor for the district. We are happy to be here to support the BAPS Charities Walk Day. It’s a great event. We came last year, and we were caught up by the enthusiasm, by the energy, by the people who came here. It’s good to see families come here—grandparents, parents, kids—but all coming for a common cause. They come because they believe they want to contribute to make a better life, they want to contribute to help community groups, but at the same time, they are here to have and be part of the community… I know that BAPS Charities raises funds for local charities and contributes back to the community. We are happy because it’s only by giving back that we ourselves feel better and know that we are helping our community succeed… I encourage as many people as possible to join the BAPS Charities Walk Day.”
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.
