Impact Stories

Storm the Stairs raised over $10k for local initiatives

Annual event gathered the community to get active while supporting those in need.

What a fun Saturday morning in Trail! On May 4, United Way BC raised over $10,000 through the Storm the Stairs 2024 event at Piazza Colombo. Locals stormed the stairs together in support of United Way BC programs that help people in need throughout the Trail, Castlegar, and West Kootenay Boundary area.

This annual event is open to people of all different fitness levels and ages. Participants could choose one of three routes (2.4km, 4km or 7.5km) to challenge themselves by running or walking through the Westside of Trail, enjoying spectacular views of Trail and the Columbia River, and left with many prizes!

United Way BC is grateful to every single volunteer and community member whose participation was fundamental to such a successful result. All funds raised will support local United Way BC initiatives that help people in need, like children and youth.

A special thanks to the fantastic sponsors for helping make the event possible: West Kootenay Labour Council, City of Trail, Teck Trail Operations, Kootenay Savings Credit Union, Columbia Basin Trust, United Steelworkers Local 480, Canco Petroleum, Columbia Power, BMO, and Bounce Radio Kootenays.

Bring hope to children and youth

The past few years have been full of challenges, but some of us have been hit harder than others. Rapidly rising costs are putting pressure on grocery bills and forcing many in our communities to make difficult decisions. These financial pressures are also challenging our neighbour’s social connections and ability to access support, which can lead to social isolation, impacting their health and well-being.

United Way BC works to ensure that our neighbours have the support they need not only to survive, but to thrive. Together, we can help provide our community with culturally appropriate, nutritious meals, lift isolated seniors from loneliness, and give local kids access to the mental wellness and developmental support they need.

Happy children, healthy and stronger communities

The School’s Out Program at Sanctuary Pre-Teens Centre helps to aid in the healthy development of children in Trail – BC.

United Way BC School’s Out programs are designed to support vulnerable school-aged children and provide them with safe spaces during critical hours between 3 – 6 pm, fostering children’s mental, physical, emotional, and social development.

“Before coming here, I was always glued to my phone. Without United Way BC School’s Out program, my days would be filled with a lot of technology and much fewer friends. Here I can be more social, eat a healthy meal every night, and also help my family. After all, it’s a free program,” says Katie*, a School’s Out participant.

“The program runs five days a week from 2:30 to 7:30 pm. We have 50 children registered with us, but daily we average around 15- 20 children coming in,” explains Cassidy Smith, School’s Out program coordinator at Sanctuary. “We’ve been open for 25 years, and we hope to keep it open with the School’s Out Program for at least another 25!”

This year’s Storm the Stairs event will fund local United Way BC initiatives, like School’s Out, that help kids, vulnerable seniors, and families from Trail, Castlegar, and West Kootenay Boundary, get the help they need – building stronger, healthier communities.

*Name is fictitious to protect the kid’s identity.