Qualico’s Sage Creek Market and Community BBQ raises funds for Habitat for Humanity Women Build

Winnipeg, MB – Qualico recently held a market and community barbeque in its Sage Creek community that raised $2,764 for Habitat for Humanity Women Build. The event drew approximately 500 attendees, including more than 30 Qualico employees.

The market included a diverse range of 22 vendors, with everything from Norwex direct marketing to youth crafters, an apiary, gourmet granola, bannock goods, and Indigenous jewelry artists. Two vendors even had a connection to Qualico and GDI employees. In addition, the Sage Creek Residents’ Association had a table set up promoting their upcoming community events.

Qualico HR, Qualico Communities, and StreetSide Developments Winnipeg also set up tables to promote their offerings in the community, and non-profit organization Reaching Out Winnipeg had an information table and their travelling suitcase set up to collect donations.

Grace Karpinsky, Executive Assistant, Qualico Corporate, noted that 19 Qualico employees volunteered during the event, along with three other volunteers connected to Qualico or Women Build, and five Women Build volunteers who ran the organization’s silent auction table.

“Overall, the event and volunteers made Qualico look like a rock star in the community, and many vendors and attendees commented on how wonderful it was,” said Grace. “The Sage Creek Residents’ Association was instrumental in the success by sharing the event information through their social media.”

Grace said the event was the result of a Women Build committee brainstorming session to come up with ideas for raising funds.

“After initial review, it became clear that the event would need significant support from Qualico for us to pull it off,” she said. “Therefore, it made more sense to run it as a Qualico third-party event, which made for a win-win-win situation for Qualico, Women Build, and the community.”

The team consulted with the Sage Creek Residents’ Association on the original concept and date and sought their approval, with planning starting at the beginning of February this year. According to Grace, the three weeks leading up to the event were the most intense as the team started to monitor weather forecasts and fine-tune plans.

The advanced planning ended up paying off, as the team had to pivot and hold the event indoors due to the weather. While there were originally 42 vendors registered for the market, the change in plans meant only 22 vendors were able to set up. Despite any setbacks, the event was a success and helped raise much-needed funds for a good cause.

“Women Build was so honoured to be part of the event and supported by Qualico in such a public and meaningful way,” Grace shared.

Women Build brings women from all walks of life together to build affordable Habitat for Humanity homes for families to purchase. The initiative also introduces women to home construction, and through mentorship and training, encourages women to assume leadership roles on the construction site. In 2024, Women Build will build its 21st sponsored home.