GM Drives Kindness Home
April 30, 2008 | Community News | Archive 2008
Over the past 14 years as co-director for West Broadway Youth Outreach, Ken Opaleke has gone through five of his own vehicles helping children and youth achieve their potential.
Representatives from General Motors of Canada, United Way and several agency partners celebrate the launch of GM Community Wheels in Winnipeg during a media conference at Vickar Community Chevrolet.
"This van means so much to us," Opaleke said. "We plan to use it to take our kids on weekly excursions to places and activities they might not experience otherwise...libraries, swimming pools, parks and museums; to empower them by giving them knowledge of their city."
Opaleke thanked United Way and GM Canada during a media conference on Wednesday, April 30 at Vickar Community Chevrolet on Regent Avenue in Winnipeg.
Vickar president and general manager Larry Vickar - who was instrumental in bringing Community Wheels to Winnipeg - was also on hand.
"United Way as the recipient was a natural choice because its reach and impact in the community is significant," Vickar said. "This is evident in the broad cross-section of community groups that will have use of this vehicle."
The remaining eight United Way agency partners sharing the van are Age & Opportunity, Elmwood Community Resource Centre, International Centre, Kildonan Youth Activity Centre, Knowles Centre, Pregnancy and Family Support Services, Versatech and Urban Circle Training Centre.
All expenses associated with the van including fuel, maintenance and insurance will be covered by GM Canada.
"Strong, healthy communities don't just happen. They are made possible by the dedication of the people who live in them, by the businesses and companies that locate in them and those who invest in them," said Diane Lehman, GM Canada's Manager of Charitable Donations. "At General Motors of Canada we are firm believers in investing in communities across Canada. Not only where we have operations, but where we have customers, dealers and where there is a need."
Winnipeg is the seventh city to join GM Community Wheels, which began in Edmonton several years ago. It also runs in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. Catharines.
Thank you GM Canada and Vickar Community Chevrolet for helping United Way fuel the dreams of so many Winnipeggers.
Together, we are creating opportunities for a better life for everyone.
Attendees of the Family Community Centre, a program of Pregnancy and Family Support Services, enjoy a strawberry picking trip to collect berries for jam.
A message to Winnipeg about United Way's campaign Janury 5, 2012
