BAPS Charities Canada is turning volunteerism into meaningful impact. In 2026, 17 Walk/Run events across Canada brought together more than 6,000 participants, raising awareness and support for local causes.
Through these events, BAPS Charities donated more than $31,000 to seven beneficiary organizations across Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, supporting initiatives that strengthen and uplift communities nationwide.
The 2026 beneficiaries were:
Alberta:
– Calgary Police Youth Foundation
Manitoba:
– Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation
– Victoria Hospital Foundation
Ontario:
– CNIB Foundation
– William Osler Health System Foundation
Saskatchewan:
– Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation
– The Hospitals of Regina Foundation
The Calgary Police Youth Foundation is a charitable organization that works in collaboration with the Calgary Police Service and other community partners to help keep children and youth safe from crime and victimization.
The Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation is committed to raising funds to support healthcare needs in the region. Donations to the Foundation help fund a variety of purchases, projects, and initiatives that benefit those served by the Brandon Regional Health Centre.
The Victoria Hospital Foundation focuses on enhancing patient care and improving community health by supporting healthcare innovations at Victoria Hospital and engaging various stakeholders in its mission.
The William Osler Health System is one of the largest community healthcare 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.
The 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 and programs for children, babies, and expectant mothers across the province.
The Hospitals of Regina Foundation raises funds to enhance healthcare across Regina General Hospital, Pasqua Hospital, and the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre.
The beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the generosity of BAPS Charities and the thousands of participants and volunteers who contributed to the success of the Walk/Run events.
Jo-Anne Lewis, Executive Director of the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, said, “The staff and the board of directors of the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation are truly grateful for the support you’ve given to us. With BAPS Charities’ goal of bringing awareness and raising funds for health initiatives, the designation of proceeds raised from the Walk/Run towards the new Critical Care Centre at the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation is fitting. This new building, having 16 intensive care unit beds and 30 internal medicine beds, will help to provide life-saving services to individuals from across our region, offering advanced care and state-of-the-art equipment. Once again, I would like to thank you for supporting the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation. Your generous donation will have a lasting impact on our community.”
Sharmon Luchuck, Communications and Public Relations Manager at the Victoria Hospital Foundation, said, “It’s an absolute pleasure to be here today with you ‘In the joy of others’. The Victoria Hospital Foundation is grateful to be partnering with BAPS Charities. By you walking here today, you’re making a meaningful impact on the health of our community. A portion of today’s proceeds supports Access Fort Garry Therapeutic Garden. This garden supports youth and young adults with mental health concerns. It helps access to care by fostering safety, trust, and open communication beyond the walls of the clinic. At our recent opening of the garden, we recognized BAPS Charities for their generous contributions. Thank you for your kindness and your selfless goodwill for giving back to the community. It really is a meaningful impact.”
Suzanne Decary, Senior Vice-President of Programs at the CNIB Foundation, said, “We’ve been involved with BAPS Charities for a few years now, and I am amazed to see the growth of these events year after year. It is through the support of organizations like yours and through events like today that we’re able to help people find meaningful employment after losing their vision, be able to continue on to higher education, be able to have families support their families, and do all of the things that you all care about for your families and your communities. So on behalf of CNIB, I just want to say that we are incredibly grateful for your continued support.”
Shelagh Barry, Interim President and CEO of the William Osler Health System Foundation, said, “It truly is wonderful to be here today to recognize the incredible impact of BAPS Charities, and to recognize this partnership that has helped strengthen health care in our community for many years. On behalf of the Osler Foundation and the William Osler Health System, I really want to extend our gratitude to all of you here today and to BAPS Charities Canada. Thank you for your leadership, your generosity, and for your commitment in building health care for the future of our communities.”
Laura Gawletz, Senior Philanthropy and Stewardship Manager at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, 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. 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.”
Lisa Green, Senior Vice President of the Hospitals of Regina Foundation, said, “We’re very grateful for the support from BAPS Charities and from all of you who’ve come out to support this Walk/Run. A big thank you to the organizing committee. This kind of event doesn’t happen without a lot of people being involved. And certainly, a big thank you and a round of applause to the volunteers here. One of the biggest priorities for our foundation this year is supporting the expansion of our NICU. Those fragile babies need the best care that we can provide, and we couldn’t do that without support from events like this, organizing committees, and participants like all of you. So, thank you so much. We’re honoured to be here and to be the recipient of your support.”
This year’s Walk/Run events brought together participants of all ages and backgrounds, demonstrating the power of community involvement and collective action. Through their participation, volunteers and supporters helped raise funds and awareness for organizations addressing important healthcare, youth, accessibility, and community needs across Canada.
Through more than 1,200 walkathons organized across North America 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 can bring communities together and inspire future generations.
BAPS Charities is committed to serving society through medical, environmental, community, educational, and humanitarian initiatives. Through the dedication of its volunteers and supporters, BAPS Charities continues to make a positive and lasting impact in communities across Canada and around the world.
