WestJet is celebrating the 15-year anniversary of its WestJet Cares for Kids program during the week of 22AUG.
Since 2007, WestJet has donated over 100,000 flights to its charitable partners, which include longstanding partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, BGC Canada, Hope Air, Make-A-Wish Canada, Missing Children Society of Canada, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, and The David Foster Foundation.
Through the program, WestJet and WestJetters have helped to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of young people, and through the gift of its resources, WestJet highlights that it is able to support their partners' essential programs and services, assist with fundraising efforts, and reduce the cost of travel.
“WestJet has always strived to be more than just an airline. Through the WestJet Cares for Kids program, we found a way to use our unique identity to make investments and support the communities we serve in a meaningful way,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate & Sustainability Officer. “I am proud to be celebrating 15 years of this program alongside the passionate WestJetters who consistently demonstrate an unwavering dedication to our charitable partners within WestJet’s vast community.”
WestJet Cares for Kids highlights a few stories from its 15 years in operation:
WestJet Connections: Share happiness
Across WestJet's network, teams of WestJetters volunteer at local Make-A-Wish events, many support fundraising initiatives, and others give their time as volunteer wish granters.
In honour of International Day of Happiness, in MAR 2019, WestJet, Make-A-Wish Canada and a special group of Make-A-Wish alumni came together to surprise WestJetter and volunteer wish granter, Karl, to say thanks for the happiness he’s brought to Make-A-Wish recipients.
Coach Dad: Father’s Day Surprise | WestJet & Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
Inspired by Troy and his son Darian’s story, WestJet and RMHC teamed up to give Coach Dad Troy from Clarenville, Newfoundland an early Father’s Day surprise and more, which resulted in an afternoon of a father reunited with his daughter and his beloved hockey team.
WestJet Connections: Share kindness
Since 2012, WestJetters have created special holiday experiences for the youth at Clubs across Canada in partnership with BGC Canada (BGCC). In Winnipeg, the team of WestJetter volunteers who organize the annual holiday event there have become "like family" to the Gilbert Park Club and its members.
To celebrate their kindness, watch how together with some very special BGC Club families, WestJet Cares for Kids surprised the Winnipeg WestJetter volunteers to thank them for bringing kindness into the lives of many.
WestJet Thanks: Giving hope
In 2018, WestJet Cares for Kids teamed up Hope Air to help one of their patients, 23-year-old Leora, say thank you to those who supported her throughout her health journey.
Diagnosed with two types of bone cancer at age 14, Leora has been cancer-free for eight years. The treatment that helped cure her cancer caused Leora "serious and life-long complications" that’s required more than 50 trips from her home in Prince George, BC to Vancouver for specialized medical care. Without free flights provided through Hope Air, Leora says she simply would not have been able to access the medical care she needs. Leora also says that she would not be where she is today without the love and support of family, friends and the Prince George community. To say thank you, WestJet Cares for Kids helped her bring some of them together for a day filled with fun, surprises and a celebration of thanks.
For more information, visit WestJet Cares for Kids' web site.
