Active Aging

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023 | ACTIVE AGING WEEK 7 BY TODD LEWYS T his year, the Manitoba 55+ Games is celebrating its 40th anniversary! At the same time, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is celebrating its 15th year of being the Games' presenting sponsor, this year under the banner of PlayNow. It's a long-time affiliation that the Crown corporation is proud of, says Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries president & CEO, Gerr y Sul. "We're extremely proud to have been sponsoring the Manitoba 55+ Games since 2008," he says. "T he Games are an important annua l event in Manitoba's summer schedule, and Liquor & Lotteries is pleased that we can continue to play an important role in contributing to its ongoing success." Sponsoring events like the Manitoba 55+ Games is just part of Liquor & Lotteries' overa ll commitment to community involvement. For decades, the corporation has supported a wide range of charitable, non-profit and community groups in a meaningful way, from festiva l and event sponsorships to generous donations. T he goa l, notes Sul, is to add lasting va lue to the lives of Manitobans by doing what they can to promote qua lity of life in Manitoba. "T hrough support of the arts, sport, culture, community, hea lth, socia l causes, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, we tr y to do what we can to assist various organizations in ma king a positive impact on the lives of Manitobans," he says. Suffice it to say, the Manitoba 55+ Games fit perfectly with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. "T he Manitoba 55+ Games a lign well with our core purpose to enrich the lives of Manitobans," says Sul. "Each year, the Games draw hundreds of customers to our many business partners in the host community, which this June will contribute to tourism, entertainment, and hospita lity in Portage la Prairie." Linda Brown, executive director of Active Aging in Manitoba, the organization that has partnered with communities around the province to put on the Manitoba 55+ Games for 40 years and counting, says that Liquor & Lotteries' support is inva luable. "Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has been a backbone sponsor of the Manitoba 55+ Games for some time, and a lso helped support the Virtua l Games during the pandemic," she says. "T he Manitoba 55+ Games would not happen without the support of Manitoba Liquors & Lotteries and our other sponsors." Sul says it has been a privilege to support the Games. "We believe in giving back to the communities in which we live and work," he adds. "Our goa l is to enrich the lives of Manitobans by ma king the greatest possible contribution to the economic and socia l well-being of our province. We are proud to support hundreds of communities, non-profit, and charitable organizations each year." Sul a lso notes that the Manitoba 55+ Games creates an exciting opportunity for the host to highlight their community and volunteer spirit while welcoming the hundreds of athletes and their supporters to town. "We have enjoyed supporting the Games, where you can often see a ll ages coming out to cheer on and celebrate their favourite athlete, whether it's a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend, or neighbour." T his year, PlayNow will be front and center as the Games main sponsor. "We're thrilled that PlayNow is the presenting sponsor for an event that encourages older adults to participate in a physica lly and socia lly active lifestyle that benefits their overa ll hea lth and longevity," he says. MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES CELEBRATES 15 YEARS AS PRESENTING SPONSOR As popular as the 55+ Games are, they wouldn't happen without the support of generous sponsors. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

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