In a powerful community response to the harsh realities of a Canadian winter, BMO employees joined forces with the United Way and the Women in Need Society (WINS) this Giving Tuesday. Their mission: to assemble vital winter weather kits for vulnerable residents in Calgary.
A Dangerous Season Without Proper Gear
The volunteer event, held at the WINS Calgary warehouse on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, saw 31 BMO staff members packing care kits filled with winter survival items. Karen Ramchuk, President and CEO of WINS, emphasized the critical nature of the initiative. "Winter is not just cold," she stated. "If you don't have the proper supplies, winter is dangerous."
Ramchuk explained that for many families supported by WINS, the choice between paying rent, buying food, and purchasing warm clothing is an impossible one. Items like coats, toques, gloves, and scarves are often completely out of financial reach. "Those are lifelines for people," she said. "Without them, they can’t go outside—they’re just not safe."
Corporate Spirit Meets Grassroots Impact
This local effort is part of a larger, national campaign aiming to pack a total of 10,000 winter kits across the country. The partnership between BMO and United Way spans an impressive 60 years, with this event falling under the umbrella of their 15th annual Employee Giving campaign.
Each year on Giving Tuesday, United Way connects BMO employees with a local agency requiring volunteer support. Alicia Abballe, BMO’s Regional Vice-President for central Calgary, praised the employee participation. "We have an amazing group of employees who come together to support these causes," Abballe said. "We believe that strong communities are the foundation of a thriving economy, and everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed."
Boots on the Ground: The Value of Hands-On Volunteering
Abballe noted that volunteer opportunities like this are met with enthusiasm and never require "pulling teeth" to fill. She highlighted the dual benefit of such work: aiding those in need while helping employees better understand the community they serve.
"Being on the floor, boots on the ground, you really get a sense of who your community is," Abballe reflected. "For myself, in retail banking, it really helps me understand who my customers are, and knowing our different communities [and] the struggles that people face."
While WINS relies on hundreds of dedicated individual volunteers year-round, Ramchuk acknowledged that corporate volunteer groups "just bring a little extra spirit" to their vital operations. The kits assembled included winter gear like gloves and toques, along with hygiene essentials, providing both practical aid and dignity to recipients during the coldest months.
