Over 450 students across Winnipeg started off the 2025-26 school year with a smile and a backpack filled with everything they needed.
Thanks to the Brightwater Foundation and its many senior living facilities across the country, including in Winnipeg, students who may not otherwise have had all the supplies necessary were gifted with everything needed.
"The smiles and excitement from their team made all the hard work worthwhile," said Brightwater Foundation in a post on social media. "Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, local students will be starting their school year with the supplies and confidence they need to succeed."
Throughout the summer, the Brightwater Foundation held the Pack the Future Back to School Drive, collecting everything from notebooks to folders to pencils and backpacks.
One of the schools to receive a generous donation was David Livingstone Community School. Each student in the North End school received a brand new backpack filled with all the supplies needed to get through this year.
"From handwritten thank-you cards to heartfelt connections, this moment reminded us how small acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact," said the Winnipeg School Division in a post on Facebook. "Thank you to the Brightwater Foundation for helping our students feel supported, confident, and ready to learn."
Brightwater Senior Living of Tuxedo received many generous donations from residents, staff and Winnipeg's mayor Scott Gillingham.
"A huge thank-you to everyone who donated, shared, and supported this initiative," said Brightwater Senior Living of Tuxedo. "Together, we made a real difference for kids in our community."