ST. JOHN AMBULANCE
THE BUSINESS OF SAVING LIVES BY LINDSEY WARD
FIRST AID IS A VALUABLE SKILL THAT CAN LAST A LIFETIME — AND SAVE LIVES. W e don’t realize the importance of that mandatory-for-work CPR course until we are forced to put our training to use. Being able to spot the signs of cardiac arrest or a potential mental health crisis can make all the difference when it counts — and St. John Ambulance has been empowering Canadians to do just that for 140 years. Here in Manitoba, approximately 30,000 people are expected to partake in the volunteer-driven organization’s health and safety training courses this year alone — up from 22,000 in 2018. The increase in Manitobans gaining this valuable knowledge is especially thanks to a recently completed 13,248-square-foot office and training centre off Portage Avenue at One St. John Ambulance Way. The new centre offers a fresh alternative to the tired St. John Ambulance building, constructed in 1963. It also allowed them the opportunity to double its classrooms from two to four. “It’s a real success story,” says Bob Cunningham, chair of the St. John Ambulance Capital Campaign. By raising $5 million, it made the new facility a reality. Cunningham, who owns Cunningham Business Interiors, agreed to lead the campaign in fall of 2018. Like everything else, COVID took a toll on fundraising efforts, though the team was still able to assist St. John Ambulance reach its financial goals for the building. This was thanks to the generosity of the province and numerous corporate and private donors. The new challenge is that, with the significant influx of students, parking is a serious challenge. Thankfully, Cunningham has agreed to continue chairing the capital campaign until it reaches its new goal of $8.5 million. The additional $3.5 million
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WINTER 2023
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