Packing the Prius in Winnipeg

We started our engines by filling (literally) our tanks with a fantastic breakfast buffet at the Delta Winnipeg. After a very delectable meal we were off to help set up for the anticipated barbeque that was about to take place out front of the Elephant and Castle Pub which happened to be attached to the hotel. We quickly removed most of the tables and chairs and set up the patio. We moved the shiny Community Cruiser right in front of the patio, opened up the trunk and attached some balloons to either side.

The event was about to begin and more and more people started to crowd around the Toyota Prius and the Delta Winnipeg’s well-displayed patio. This event was in support of the city’s Winnipeg Harvest. The Winnipeg Harvest is a local food bank and organization that received over 10 million pounds of food in donations last year and feeds an average of 48,000 starving mouths annually. Out of the 48, 000 people fed last year they claimed that half of those in need were children.

Geoff and Suzanne Packin' the Prius

For this event, participants were being fed a sausage on a bun, a bag of chips and pop all for $2 if they donated a non-perishable food item and for $5 without a donation of a food item. With the help of the well-organized staff at the Delta Winnipeg, Suzanne and I were placing all of the food donations into the back of the Community Cruiser. People sat on the patio enjoying their lunches while socializing and asking some very curious questions about the cruiser tour.

About half way through the event, a cameraman from CBC came by and took some shots of the cruiser and of the event that had been causing lots of commotion on this busy downtown corner. After speaking with him and informing him about what the Community Cruiser tour was all about, I convinced him to do a brief interview with Suzanne. Being the “celebrities” that we had both become, a photographer from the Winnipeg Sun newspaper attended the event and took some photos of Suzanne and I beside the cruiser that was now overflowing with the food donations.

The busy afternoon started to wind down and it was now time for us to visit the Winnipeg Harvest’s warehouse. After the barbeque we had some left over sausages, chips and drinks so we wrapped them up and donated them to the hard working volunteers and staff at the Winnipeg Harvest. We had a brief tour of the facility before unloading the donations. Overall the Delta Winnipeg donated $610 in cash and an outstanding 334 pounds of food!!!!

Delta and Winnipeg Harvest working together!

Along-side my newfound friend Suzanne; I had begun the tour 16 days ago. Unfortunately this incredible once in a lifetime experience was about to come to an end for me, as the Ontario regional ambassador Carys was about to take over. After meeting and working with so many fabulous individuals and organizations, this was a life changing experience that I will definitely remember forever. The gratification I have felt being a part of the Community Cruiser tour is unexplainable. Words cannot express how I felt being able to help so many people in need, and it really opened my eyes to see how much a lucky individual like me takes for granted. I’m extremely sad to go but I look forward to following the tour online and watch my fellow cruiser’s continue to help others and work hard to achieve the goal of raising $1 million dollars for charities and help donate 10, 000 community services hours…

Farewell my friends, it has been an absolute pleasure to have been a part of the Delta Community Cruiser tour.

The hand-over!

Warmest Regards,

Geoffrey Alan
Prairies Regional Ambassador