In 2023, Roanne and Greg Bodnarchuk, the owners/operators of the Best Western Plus Okotoks Inn & Suites, launched Simpora Foundation. Through fundraising and sponsorships, the Simpora Foundation provides funding and gives athletes the opportunity to be leaders and role models within our communities. The Bodnarchuks strongly believe in the motto mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body) and believe that giving back to the community provides many benefits to an individual’s mental and physical health.
Roanne explains, “As local business owners, we wanted to get more involved in the community. During COVID we received donations and hired restaurants to make meals that we donated to the Okotoks Food Bank through the 40 Hot Meals Project. We wanted to take it one step further, so through our business, Best Western Plus Okotoks, we created the Simpora Foundation.”
Simpora’s signature event is the Annual Rubber Duck Race and Family Fun Carnival and takes place each fall. Residents and businesses can adopt a duck and watch more than 2,000 rubber ducks race down the Sheep River, garnering more than $4,000 in prizes for lucky participants. In addition to the race, you can enjoy carnival games, food trucks and a dunk tank. Simpora Foundation will be hosting other annual fundraising events as well, continuing to bring the community together and support great causes.
“At the hotel,” she continues, “we always get asked for donations. At one point we were asked for $2,500 to support a sports team. That is a big ask for any one business, and it is important to us that any funds donated have an impact that goes beyond the material gain. That is why, through Simpora Foundation, the recipients must volunteer in the community to receive funding and provide a Kindness Report after completion.” One hundred per cent of net proceeds are donated back to the community.
The Kindness Report requests feedback and information on community projects funded by the sponsorship. It asks participants to share their experiences, the impact of the projects, the number of people affected, financial details, and photos. Participants are also asked if they would recommend the program to others and to provide feedback on the sponsorship process.
Roanne points out, “There should be both give and take with funding requests. We choose to use sponsorships as a way to empower people in the community and inspire future role models. Kids are at an impressionable age right now. As leaders in the community, we help them gain an additional skillset through volunteering and giving back.”
The work of Simpora Foundation is vitally important. Youth benefit tremendously through local sports, including:
- Physical Health: Sports promote physical fitness, overall health, and well-being among youth, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues.
- Mental Health: Participation in sports can improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting self-esteem and confidence.
- Teamwork and Leadership: Sports teach youth valuable skills like teamwork, leadership, communication, and resilience, which are transferable to other areas of life.
- Discipline and Time Management: Involvement in sports instills discipline, time management skills, and the ability to balance academics and extracurricular activities.
- Social Skills and Relationships: Sports offer opportunities for youth to make friends, build social skills, and develop strong relationships based on shared interests and values.
With the kindness report, the addition of giving back in the community teaches youth:
- Personal Growth: Youth volunteering fosters personal development by promoting empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards others.
- Skill Development: Engaging in community service helps youth acquire valuable skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
- Social Connection: Volunteering enables youth to connect with diverse groups of people, build networks, and develop a sense of belonging within the community.
- Career Opportunities: Volunteer experience can enhance resumes, demonstrate commitment to social causes, and open doors to future job opportunities.
- Community Impact: Youth volunteering contributes to positive social change, addresses community needs, and creates a sense of civic engagement among young individuals.
Simpora Foundation is helping to create well-rounded, kind, healthy youth that will carry these attributes well into adulthood, creating a ripple effect that touches future generations. Learn more online and on Facebook and Instagram.
