General Byng voted Best in Show

February 1, 2010 | Community News | Archive 2010

Congratulations General Byng School for taking top honours in United Way of Winnipeg's Best in Show competition!

Out of hundreds of United Way fundraisers and workplace campaigns held throughout the city in 2009, Winnipeggers voted General Byng's Tattoo Tamblyn event the best example of creativity, enthusiasm and spirit.

The school earned the award by covering educational assistant Matt Tamblyn, 27, from head to toe in United Way temporary tattoos purchased by staff and students (approximately 350 from K to 9) for donations of $1 each.

Matt jokes that he agreed to the stunt early in the morning before he'd had his coffee. "Once my coffee got into my system, I was like 'wait a minute - I'm going to have to be shirtless in front of the whole school?'"

But he quickly went from doubt to determination - even shaving his body so the tattoos would stick. In the end, General Byng raised over $600, doubling their original goal.

Equally important as the money however, was the opportunity to plant the seeds of community involvement early, Matt said. In fact, this is the first time students have participated alongside staff in the school's annual United Way campaign.

"We thought, 'why not start teaching the students now how to give and be part of the community and about giving back?'" Matt said.

General Byng's nomination and win is the first ever for a school but Matt is certain it won't be the last. Byng's principal Darren Juby has already challenged other schools in the Pembina Trails division to a 'Best in Show-off' in 2010.

And while he's hesitant to elaborate now that General Byng is defending champion, Matt is planning even bigger and better things for the school's next campaign, vowing to stick to any promise: "If they really want it, I'm willing to do it."

Nominate your organization or co-worker for a 2010 United Way Spirit Award.

A message to Winnipeg about United Way's campaign Janury 5, 2012