Passionate Jets fans raise $100,000 to tackle homelessness, addiction, and hunger

Four community organizations are receiving a combined $100,000 to help Winnipeggers in need after Winnipeg Jets fans rallied for their team—and their community—at the club’s legendary Whiteout Parties this spring.

“The original Winnipeg Jets Whiteout is an exciting part of my personal hockey story and it’s exciting to see that this tradition not only lives on but has taken on new significance within our community,” said Scott Arniel, Head Coach of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club.

“With these funds being put to very important work across and for our downtown community, it’s an honour to know the impacts of what the Jets do on the ice can be felt beyond our rink and beyond the playoffs themselves.”

Since 2019, True North Sports + Entertainment has partnered with United Way Winnipeg to channel fans’ playoff excitement for the Winnipeg Jets into tangible community impacts, with half the proceeds of the popular Whiteout Street Parties tickets directed to United Way Winnipeg.

United Way Winnipeg was presented with three ceremonial cheques of $25,000 during the playoff run itself. A contribution from Academy Hospitality’s Party in the Plaza events and small top off from True North adds an additional $25,000, bringing the total community contribution for 2024 to $100,000.

To date, more than $312,000 has been reinvested into downtown agencies for urgent and critical support in the areas of homelessness, addiction, and hunger through the Whiteout Street Parties.

“Winnipeggers rally around their city like no other fans in the country. They take care of each other—and the money raised at the Whiteout Parties is an amazing example of that,” said United Way Winnipeg President and CEO Michael Richardson. “These funds will make a significant impact on Winnipeggers by supporting the life-saving work being done every day by four community organizations—both in our community, and for our community.”

The four community organizations receiving $25,000 each are:

• Bruce Oake Recovery Centre: providing long-term residential care and addiction treatment for men struggling with drugs and alcohol.
• N’Dinewemak-Our Relatives’ Place: an Indigenous-led resource offering 24/7 space for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Siloam Mission: which supports Winnipeggers struggling to meet their basic needs with clothing, food, shelter, and belonging.
• Main Street Project: a safe and welcoming place for people experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges.

During an announcement Wednesday morning at United Way Winnipeg, Arniel shared his immense gratitude for the people on the front lines of our city’s most urgent challenges.

“My family and I have called Winnipeg home for many years,” Arniel told the crowd. “We have seen the challenges grow but we have also seen how this community bands together in support. Congratulations to Main Street Project, N’Dinewemak – Our Relatives Place, Siloam Mission, and the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre on receiving these funds and thank you for the work you are doing in our community.”

More than 170,000 fans have attended Whiteout Street Parties since they began.

True North Sports + Entertainment Senior Vice President Kevin Donnelly said supporting community is foundational to the company’s core, and he’s thrilled the partnership with United Way Winnipeg gives fans another meaningful way to make a real difference for our city.

“When we can extend the impacts of the Jets’ playoff run to benefit critical areas of our community beyond sport, it makes the excitement around the Winnipeg Whiteout that much more meaningful and we thank all our partners and the community for making this happen together.”