If you had $1 million to invest in your community, what would you fund? Steinbach listeners had big dreams and even bigger hearts
One million dollars.
That was the big question on the Country 107 Morning Show served up by A & W Steinbach earlier this week: If you had $1 million to invest in one community project, where would you put it first?
Listeners didn’t hold back — and neither did their imaginations. From playgrounds and youth centres to mental health support and road repairs, our Rogers Talk and Text Line lit up with passionate, thoughtful, and even heartwarming ideas.
Youth, housing, and a Santa parade
Let’s start with Lisa from Bird’s Hill who said she’d use the money to support youth.
“They’re the next generation,” she said. “So I would like to have them set up for them to have a good future.”
Josée from La Broquerie agreed — and she took it up a notch. She wants a youth centre, but not just any centre. We’re talking a race track, a soccer field, and more.
Meanwhile, Thom from Steinbach had a very specific goal: Steinbach’s first-ever Santa Parade. Honestly, we’re in.
And Curtis from Mitchell? He’s got a big heart and even bigger plans: “Stopping homelessness here in Steinbach.”
Playgrounds, pets, and potholes
Listeners also had ideas that ranged from fun to practical.
Chelsey from Marchand and Kelly from Blumenort both mentioned school play structures. Greg from Mitchell said housing for people with disabilities should be a priority.
Over in Niverville, Lesley said she’d support The INN, and Megan would help teens and young people stay out of trouble. Cory from St. Malo would split it between veterans and youth programs.
Kim from Steinbach had a vision: “A place to teach things like sewing, painting, baking classes, woodworking, knitting, canning, embroidery. Oh, all the things I could do!”
Also, shoutout to Tha from Winnipeg who wants to fix the roads, “Nobody likes driving through potholes during spring.” Accurate.
Thinking big — and thinking of others
Some listeners zoomed in on health care, education, and those in urgent need.
Jennifer from Roseau River would hand the million over to the HEART team, who assist with underwater search and recovery in drowning incidents.
Susan from La Broquerie would upgrade the children’s unit at the hospital, and Dillon from Steinbach would improve school programs for kids with learning disabilities.
Roger from St. Malo said he’d back Steinbach Community Outreach and Eden’s mental health housing project — a sentiment echoed by Karensa from Steinbach: “I don’t think anybody should be without a home ever, or even have to think about where they’re going to get their food.”
Other heartfelt ideas included support for seniors housing, animal shelters, harm reduction, and community centres.
And then there was Ashley from St. Labre, who dreamed up an after-school program where kids care for animals. Yes, please.
One question. Dozens of ideas. One big-hearted community.
The million-dollar question was inspired by a joint proposal presented to Steinbach City Council this week by Eden Health Care Services and Steinbach Community Outreach. The two organizations are hoping to build a $22 million affordable housing project that would include on-site mental health supports for vulnerable residents.
We were blown away by the range of responses — and reminded once again just how much people around here care about their neighbours, their schools, their parks, and their futures.
So thank you for dreaming big with us, Country 107 listeners. One million dollars may be imaginary (for now), but your community spirit is very real.