Cold City Warm Hearts 2024

Children from Rossbrook House and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) gathered at FortWhyte Alive on February 21 for their own special winter party.

 

The smiles were endless as one hundred children played outdoor Arctic games, went snowshoeing, had a bannock bake over an open fire and gleefully soared down the toboggan run.

 

“We come together as a community to build relationships through experiences and outdoor activities,” said Rossbrook House Executive Director Patty Mainville. “Thanks to our friends at FortWhyte Alive and generous donors we can gather with our neighbours from IRCOM to experience all the rich outdoor fun that FortWhyte has to offer. The amount of laughter, smiles, and conversations that occur during these fun-filled activities fills the heart and enriches our experiences.”

 

 

“With our good friends at Rossbrook House, and the amazing team at FortWhyte Alive, newcomer and Indigenous children will play for hours side-by-side, breaking down barriers through the simple joy of outdoor play. Our children and staff are so excited!” said Shereen Denetto, IRCOM Executive Director.

We’re grateful to our friends at FortWhyte Alive for opening their doors to our participants annually since the first one in 2017. Thank you, FortWhyte Alive!

 

“FortWhyte Alive is overjoyed to partner with Rossbrook House and IRCOM to provide a space where kids can be kids and experience everything our magical prairie winters have to offer. We look forward to this visit every year, and we can’t wait to welcome the children back to explore, connect – and, most importantly, play – in our natural world,” said Liz Wilson, FortWhyte Alive President & CEO.

 

 

Read more about this event in this WFP article by Emma Honeybun!

Listen to the interview with CBC Radio.

Learn how this event got started. Watch the interview on CTV Morning Live.

Watch our video:

 

Read more!