Giving Back at the November 2024 Eastbridge Meetup
~NOVEMBER 25, 2024~
At our November Eastbridge Business Connections Meetup, attendees got to sample delicious offerings from some of Waterloo’s favorite local food vendors and restaurants. In the spirit of giving, they also paid it forward—raising an incredible $603 in cash donations for Food4Kids Waterloo Region (F4KWR).
F4KWR supports over 1,300 children across 100+ schools in the region, working to eliminate chronic hunger and food insecurity. Their mission ensures that kids ages 1-14 from food-insecure homes receive nutritious food packages on weekends and school breaks—times when school meal programs aren’t available. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this meaningful cause!
The LCCHub Brings Pro Basketball to Neighbourhood Youth in Eastbridge
~2023/2024~
Thanks to the support, generosity, and sponsorship of over 50 Eastbridge and area residents, Eastbridge Business Connections proudly became an official KW Titans Community Member!
This initiative successfully:
- Provided junior basketball players from Eastbridge’s three elementary schools with the opportunity to attend a professional basketball game.
- Supported KW’s local professional basketball team.
- Offered our EBC Community Sponsors chances to win regular-season home game tickets, KW Titans merchandise, and VIP perks as a token of appreciation.
We are grateful to everyone who contributed to making this initiative a success!
Career Insights from Industry Professionals
~2017, 2018, 2019, 2023~
This half-day forum represents an opportunity for industry professionals to give back to their local community while investing in the next generation of industry professionals.
Industry Professionals are assigned their own classroom and students move from classroom to classroom depending on which industry sessions they pre-registered for.
The 2023 half-day forum at Lester B. Public School involved:
- 207 Grade 7-8 Students
- 41 industry professionals
- 10 industry classrooms
- 3 classroom sessions per industry
- 20 students per classroom
- 30-minutes per session
Lincoln Heights Breakfast Program for Kids
~November 2023~
During the November Meetup at Schooner Street Brewery, Eastbridge Business Connections raised $490 to support the Lincoln Heights Breakfast Program where more than 80 elementary school students benefit each day from an array of nutritious food options to ensure students have the energy and focus to maximize their learning potential at school.
Giving Back: Eastbridge Business Connections’ Annual Fall Food Drive
~November 2023, 2024~
Each October, Eastbridge Business Connections encourages attendees to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations to support The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. The Eastbridge chapter proudly channels these contributions through local residents and sisters, Morgan and Claire, who launched their annual Halloween Candy and Fall Food Drive in 2016. Through this initiative, the Eastbridge chapter helps strengthen their efforts to combat food insecurity in our community. Below is a summary of the support provided by the Eastbridge chapter.
- 2024: 59lbs
- 2023: 149
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Spreading Holiday Cheer Through Regional Festive Connections
~December 2022, 2023, 2024~
Each December, our Regional Festive Connections Meetup brings the community together to give back. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or make a cash donation, with all proceeds supporting the Waterloo Knights of Columbus' New Toys for Needy Kids Annual Toy Drive.
Unwrapped Toys:
- 2024: 101
- 2023: 120
- 2022: 150
Cash Donations:
- 2024: $60
- 2023: $80
- 2022: $100
Non-perishable Food:
- 2023: 10 lbs.
- 2022: 50 lbs.