Qualico Communities Calgary Hosts Social December Days of Giving Campaign

Calgary, AB - Qualico Communities Calgary has highlighted their business unit charitable support in 2021 with its December Days of Giving Campaign, running throughout December. The campaign highlights 18 different charitable organizations across Calgary, Chestermere, Airdrie, Cochrane, Langdon, and Rocky View County areas, and each will receive a donation from Qualico Communities Calgary.

“We think it is important to give back to the communities we build in,” says Nina Wulder, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Qualico Communities Calgary. “Some of the organizations are long-time organizations that we have supported, and some are new to us this year. All of them are so gracious and grateful.”

As part of the campaign, the land developer’s social media accounts have been highlighting each charity every business day in December. Communities Calgary believes it is important to bring attention to these organizations and hope that others in Calgary and surrounding areas can donate to people in need.

“Qualico Communities Calgary is so happy to continue the Qualico legacy of philanthropy,” says Heather Holt, Executive to the Vice President, Qualico Communities Calgary. “We have chosen to align our impact with the Qualico corporate giving goals.”

These corporate responsibility goals focus on five areas: ending the cycle of poverty, promoting gender equality, ensuring sustainability in building, encouraging lifelong education, and celebrating healthy lives. These areas of giving are impact areas, where Qualico feels motivated to take action. It’s a philosophy that has been integrated into the business models since the founders of Qualico started building homes in 1951.

With that in mind, the December Days of Giving campaign supports a wide range of charities that support environmental, equality, animals, children, seniors, and health issues and covers over $50,000 in giving from Qualico Communities Calgary.

“There is a ton of engagement with the posts so far, and we have received so many thankful messages from all the charities we are highlighting,” said Emily Smith, Manager, Marketing & Customer Care,Qualico Communities, Calgary. “Many of them are sharing our posts and posting their shoutouts of Qualico too. We are so glad to be able to support so generously.”

Organizations have been announced on revealed through Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin sinceDecember 1and will run until Christmas Eve. You can still follow along to see the charity reveals on their Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin accounts.

To complement the Days of Giving campaign, QCC has engaged in two additional charitable opportunities for showhome visitors in four communities, and for staff in the Qualico Calgary office.

Firstly, partnering with Calgary Seniors Resource Society and their Merry Mail program, QCC designed and printed blank cards for showhome guests to decorate and personalize in Ambleton in NW Calgary, Dawson’s Landing in Chestermere, Harmony in Springbank, and Rivercrest in Cochrane. Communities Calgary has collected more than 200 cards and has brought them to Calgary Seniors before the holidays begin.

“The Merry Mail program has been created to bring holiday cheer to isolated and vulnerable seniors living in Calgary,” says Brittany Romansky, Merry Mail Program Coordinator, Calgary Seniors Resource Society. “For many of our clients, receiving a Merry Mail card will be the only holiday card they receive this year. Sometimes it is the smallest acts of kindness that make the greatest impact on a person’s wellbeing, and that is what Merry Mail is all about!”

In the office, staff were given Qualico Communities branded blue Santa hats and have been encouraged to make their own donations to the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, Project Warmth, and the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society. A box has been set up for each to collect donations of used and new clothing, gift cards, food, treats, and more.

“The boxes are full, and overflow bags and boxes are stacked beside. I am in awe of how much our team has jumped in to help above and beyond what we are doing as a company,” says Smith. “We are looking forward to dropping off all the donations in the coming days.”

You can find out more about each of the charities Qualico Communities Calgary is supporting at the following links:

• Calgary Seniors Resource Society – Seniors are thriving and valued members of our community, and this organization provides a depth of support that creates meaningful and effective change in the overall well-being and quality of life of vulnerable seniors. Along with QCC’s donation, Qualico Corporate has also donated twice this year as well as part of the Acts of Giving Program.
• Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter – The Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter is focused on ending family violence and abuse in the lives of women, children, youth, and men. Taking a stand against family violence in the community since 1974, the agency has helped over 240,000 Calgarians build safe lives and healthy relationships and are on the front lines to provide hope and support to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
• Spirit North - Spirit North is a national charitable organization that uses land-based activities to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous youth, empowering them to become unstoppable in sport and play. Our participants learn important lessons, discover untold potential and build the confidence and courage needed to overcome the hardships Indigenous youth often face.
• Southern Alberta Cardiac Transplant Program - Through the Calgary Health Foundation, we can support women's heart disease. The funds that are donated will help fund transformative clinical care and innovative research to better understand the prevention and treatment of women's cardiovascular disease throughout their lives.
• Kids Cancer Care - The Kids Cancer Care programs are uniquely designed to meet the needs of the whole family at each stage of the cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The foundation helps Alberta children and families by providing funding and programs. One of the QCC team members (Thilo Kaufmann) raised funds by shaving their head this summer!
• Chestermere Library - The Chestermere Public Library began with the dream of a committed group of community members, the dream became a reality in 2007 when the Library opened its doors and collections to the people of Chestermere and Rocky View County and became a registered charity in 2015. Through the hard work and passion of the many members of the community that supported the vision of Chestermere having its own public library. Qualico is proud to be the children’s library title sponsor for the next five years!
• Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre - AARC offers a community of care, where young people, their parents, peer counselors, and specially trained staff work together. AARC treatment is a long-term, semi-residential program based on the 12 steps model, leading to total abstinence. Above all AARC is for families - families united against addiction.
• Airdrie 1^st Club - The Airdrie 1st Club's mission is to provide service to the community and its citizens. All year long members of the Airdrie 1st Club work hard to operate or to contribute to worthwhile community programs and have been doing so since 1977 (formally the Airdrie Lioness Club).
• Langdon Days - Langdon Days is an annual fundraising event for the Langdon Community Association (LCA). Proceeds from Langdon Days help the LCA maintain & upgrade the existing park & facilities. During Langdon Days, the small town's community spirit is awoken - creating a sense of belonging, friendship and culture. As the developer of the new community of Painted Sky in Langdon, we are proud to support this local organization. In the summer we were a sponsor for Langdon Days.
• Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids - Their Vision is a future where communities ensure no kids go hungry and their Mission is to connect and inspire people to take meaningful action to feed and care for kids. Children shouldn't have to worry about where it will come from, or when. Kids who have consistent access to nutritious food grow stronger brains and stronger bodies. They're able to make friends, attend school consistently, and focus on learning instead of on a grumbling stomach. Qualico Calgary has been delighted to participate in packing lunches again on a number of occasions this year, both at the BB4CK central kitchen and in the Qualico Kitchen.
• Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation - The Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (GRPF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park (GRPP) and other lands that possess an important heritage and ecological value. Established in 2007 by the Harvie Family, its mission is to protect and promote the GRPP through engagement, education, collaboration, and conservation. Their vision is to make GRPP one of the most inspiring, accessible, and healthy protected urban parks in North America
• Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs - From guiding their handlers through their daily lives to getting help when it's needed most, Dog Guides play a crucial role in the lives of Canadians with disabilities. Their mission is to empower Canadians with disabilities to navigate their world with confidence and independence by providing Dog guides at no cost to them and supporting each pair in their journey together. Qualico Communities had a really fun naming competition in Fall 2021 for the puppy they sponsored. The winning name: Beacon!
• Trellis Society - Trellis works with children, youth, and families to unearth their potential and support their growth. Their programs focus on improving access to resources, developing family and community supports, and building people's capacity to deal with life's challenges.
• Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society - AARCS is a grassroots animal welfare organization with a foundation of compassion and kindness embodied by its hard work staff, volunteers foster homes, and supporters. Their goal is to help homeless animals in communities across Alberta and provide community support programs to address the root causes of animal overpopulation and homelessness. Their vision is that together we can enact societal change so that someday we may all witness a Compassionate World for All Animals.
• Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta - Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta is a non-profit organization that brings the community together to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership. With help from donors, community partners, and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity builds homes alongside future owners to provide a solid foundation for better, healthier futures. In 2021, 25 families and 70 children have moved into affordable homes in Southern Alberta. These families now have a home of their own to enjoy family traditions and celebrate the holidays.
• Two Wheel View - Two Wheel View's mission is to provide programs that use the bicycle as a vehicle for change in the lives of youth. TWV programs increase youth resiliency and lessen risk factors of students through cognitive development, social competence, and emotional and physical wellbeing... thus increasing their likelihood of future success.
• Project Warmth - The mission at Project Warmth is to assist the homeless and underprivileged with clothing and support. Helping them stay warm throughout the winter season. The society is a registered charitable association that has been formed to assist the homeless and the underprivileged. Blankets, gloves, sleeping bags, scarves, parkas, and items of warm clothing are gathered for distribution to those in need.
• Calgary Meals on Wheels - The vision of Meals on Wheels is to offer nutrition and caring support to Calgarians. Its mission is to build a stronger, caring community, Calgary Meals on Wheels promotes health and independence by providing quality, nutritious, and affordable meals to people in need of their service.