Fuel Up for Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation on Fuel Good Day!

Fuel Good Day is back on Tuesday, September 17, 2024! This year, Red River Co-op will donate five-cents of every litre of fuel and one-dollar from every Co-operative Coffee and Big Cool sold at all of its gas bar locations to Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation. The funds will go to their Adaptive Equipment Program, which is dedicated to supporting children and youth living with physical and cognitive disabilities.

“We are happy to support the Adaptive Equipment Program through Fuel Good Day this year to help get specialized equipment to children and youth in our community who need it to improve their quality of life,” said Craig Gilpin, CEO of Red River Co-op.

Adaptive equipment plays a pivotal role in empowering children and youth with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. Each piece of equipment serves as a catalyst for growth and independence. Fuel Good Day will fund customized bikes that foster physical activity and social engagement, and iPads that provide a voice to those with complex communication challenges. The specialized bikes and iPads are so much more than recreational tools - they are pathways to inclusion, freedom, and joy for children with disabilities.

“On behalf of the young people our organization supports, we are exceptionally grateful to be the charity recipient of this year’s Fuel Good Day,” said Jane Kidd-Hantscher, Executive Director of Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation. “We are excited for this special day in our community and seeing the impact of the funds raised from this great initiative.”

On average, each specialized bike costs $4,000 - $5,000 and each iPad $2,000. There are currently more than 40 children and youth waiting for equipment to be funded. The lengthy list increases on an almost daily basis.

“We’re looking to fund ten bikes and two iPads for children within the communities Red River Co-op serves,” said Mr. Gilpin. “We want to accelerate the delivery of this specialized equipment and remove limitations, letting these children dream and be the best version of themselves.”

Red River Co-op members and customers can help give children and youth the adaptive equipment they need by fueling up at any Red River Co-op Gas Bar on Tuesday, September 17th.

Red River Co-op has donated over $400,000 to local non-profit organizations for Fuel Good Day since 2017! Past recipients of Fuel Good Day recipients and donations received include:

2017: Winnipeg Harvest ($47,000); Dryden Regional Health Center ($5,000); and Wabaseemoong Independent Nation Youth & Wellness Centre ($5,000)

2018: Siloam Mission ($50,000) and Inclusion Selkirk ($10,000)

2019: Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba ($61,102) and Gimli Humane Society ($10,000)

2020: The Bear Clan ($50,678) and Feed the Furbabies ($5,000)

2021: Leftovers ($41,634), Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) ($5,000) and Made With Love ($5,000)

2022: Klinic Community Health ($50,607)

2023: St.Amant Foundation ($55,000) Read about 2023 Fuel Good Day here.