WestJet hands out goodwill
Herb Mathisen
Northern News Services
Published Tuesday, May 26, 2009
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Is the quickest way to someone's heart through the gas pump?
That was the idea last week, when six members of WestJet's care crew blew through Yellowknife giving away coffee, helping people pay to fill up their gas tanks, and performing random acts of kindness to spread the word about their arrival in the city.
WestJet's Care Crew was in Yellowknife last week, paying for portions of peoples' gas fill-ups and washing windows, to show the company wants to be part of the community. The crew, from left, Cheryl Leschasin-Drewniak, Adrian Sacco, Michelle Delaney, Jane Nikiforuk, Jennifer Clarke and Robert Kevis. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo
"It's part of our Caring Comes Home campaign," said Robert Kevis, care co-ordinator with WestJet, late Wednesday afternoon.
"Every year we've gone to different cities like Vancouver, Edmonton, Fort McMurray. In the east we've gone to Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax and just randomly in those bigger cities we've actually paid for peoples' bus fares, their parking, at the gas stations."
Kevis said the crew – in town from May 20 to 22 – was planning to help Yellowknifers with their groceries at Extra Foods, to provide coffee to construction workers at the St. Joseph school renovation site and even to cook dinner at the fire hall on Thursday.
"It's just our saying that we want to be part of the community," said Kevis.
The crew of six also had three "honorary" crew members originally from the city: Jane Nikiforuk, Michelle Delaney and Cheryl Leschasin-Drewniak.
"It feels good to be back in Yellowknife, especially with a company that I'm passionate about," said Leschasin-Drewniak, who left the city in 1998.
The three women, who work as flight attendants with the Calgary-based company, said they were invited on the trip North because of their fondness for the city.
"This is still home for all of us," said Nikiforuk, who grew up in Yellowknife and moved south in 2001.
While the crew was scheduled to stop at Tim Hortons and Extra Foods for giveaways, Delaney said they would also be frequenting some local, longtime Yellowknife staples.
"We know who's been here for the long haul," said Lechasin-Drewniak.
Delaney said with a laugh that they would be supporting local restaurants.
Gord Van Tighem met with the crew briefly on Wednesday afternoon, before they set out on their goodwill mission.
"They were leaving my office and going to pump gas for people and give them free gas," he said.
He said he valued Canadian North and First Air for all the work they do in the community, adding WestJet will provide the city with some new opportunities as well.
Fire Chief Albert Headrick said he understood the company does things like this in every new community it visits to promote itself.
"That's fine," he said, adding he was looking forward to the dinner the care crew was going to cook at the hall that evening.
"We're quite ecstatic about it," he said. "Wouldn't you be? People are going to cook your supper."
He added it would be welcome in the busy fire hall.
On Wednesday night, as commuters pulled up to the Gastown pumps, a care crew member asked if they were interested in having a portion of their fill-up paid.
Veronica Myles said she was blown away by the offer
She said a crew member asked her, "Can we pay for $10 of your gas?"
"Of course you can," she laughed. "Realistically, who's going to turn that down?"
Scott Lefrancois said he thought the act was a good way to promote the company.
"I imagine that's what they're trying to do. It's better than nothing, I guess."
Westjet making an impression in YZF
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog
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twinpratts
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Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
230 reads, but no responses? 
I want to die like my grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming in terror like his passengers...
Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
What are you looking for? Some sunshine blown up WJ's ass?
I think it is a great gesture and marketing move but ten bucks in a YZF'ers big 4x4 wouldn't even move the fuel needle. Cooking for the fire department is very thoughtful but what about cooking for the destitute in a shelter? It seems like the only care provided by the care team was to prospective ticket purchasers but I guess that's business.
I think it is a great gesture and marketing move but ten bucks in a YZF'ers big 4x4 wouldn't even move the fuel needle. Cooking for the fire department is very thoughtful but what about cooking for the destitute in a shelter? It seems like the only care provided by the care team was to prospective ticket purchasers but I guess that's business.
Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
Westjet gives out a few $10 gas coupons while Air Canada and it's employees take another 300 disadvantaged kids to Disneyworld. Over the last 20 years Air Canada has taken over 20,000 sick and disadvantaged children to the Disney theme parks. All employees volunteer their time.
Air Canada salutes passengers and volunteers aboard the 20th anniversary Dreams Take Flight trip to DisneyWorld
Toronto Chapter Celebrates 20 Years of Making Children's Dreams Come True
MONTREAL, June 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada is proud of its volunteer
employees and friends of Dreams Take Flight who tomorrow are celebrating 20
years of making "Magical Memories for Special Kids" through Dreams Take
Flight, a not-for-profit Canadian organization that takes disadvantaged
children to Disney theme parks for a day of fun and adventure.
"Air Canada congratulates the Toronto chapter of Dreams Take Flight,
especially our own employee volunteers who are involved in making tomorrow a
magical day when children's dreams come true," said Calin Rovinescu, President
and Chief Executive of Air Canada. "What began as a one-time volunteer
undertaking by a handful of Air Canada employees in Toronto has grown over two
decades into a national program that by year end will have made 20,000 dreams
come true with a fun-filled, all-expense-paid day to Disney theme parks in
Florida and California. We are extremely proud of all our employees and
community volunteers from across Canada who work throughout the year to make
these special dreams a reality."
On Thursday, June 4, the Dreams Take Flight, Toronto Chapter, will mark
its 20th anniversary by flying two planeloads filled with 300 children to the
Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This is the single
largest contingent of children yet to participate in a Dreams Take Flight
pilgrimage to Disney. The children will get an early morning send-off from a
specially decorated Air Canada hangar featuring pre-flight events that include
sports celebrities, music, animals from the Bowmanville Zoo and other
entertainment.
Flights AC 7001 and AC 7003, operated by Aircraft Minnie and Aircraft
Mickey, will depart from an Air Canada hangar at 6420 Silver Dart Drive at 7
a.m. Media are invited to attend the pre-flight festivities, which begin at
4:30 a.m. For more information contact Peter Dychtiar, Flight Media Director,
at 905-374-4888 or email at sunburst@cogeco.ca
About Dreams Take Flight
Dreams Take Flight is a national volunteer charitable organization
dedicated to providing the trip of a lifetime to physically, mentally or
socially challenged children. With the aid of Air Canada, other national and
local organizations and businesses, money is raised to fund the program in
Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax.
Funds not required for its primary purpose can be gifted by Dreams Take Flight
to other registered charities that benefit physically, mentally or socially
challenged children and are within the policies adopted by Dreams Take Flight
Canada.
The first Dreams Take Flight station was founded in Toronto in 1989. It
has taken over 4,910 special children to the Magic Kingdom during its 20 year
history. The various volunteer groups across the country that organize the
Dream Flights officially united in 1998 as one national organization under the
banner "Dreams Take Flight". In total, by yearend, Dreams Take Flight stations
across Canada will have made 20,000 dreams with the trip of a lifetime to
Disney aboard aircraft supplied by Air Canada.
About Air Canada
Montréal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air
transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five
continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 13th largest commercial airline in
the world and serves 33 million customers annually. Air Canada is a founding
member of Star Alliance, providing the world's most comprehensive air
transportation network for Canadian domestic, transborder and international
travel. As well, customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future awards
through Canada's leading loyalty program.
In 2008, the readers of Business Traveler magazine voted Air Canada "Best
In-Flight Services in North America," "Best Airline for Business Class Service
in North America" and "Best North American Airline for International Travel." Through its community investment program, Kids' Horizons, Air Canada
actively supports each of the eight Dreams Take Flight Chapters and over 400
charitable organizations throughout Canada that improve the lives of children.
Through the Air Canada Kids' Horizons' Hospital Transportation Program, we
regularly transport kids requiring specialized medical attention to the
pediatric facilities best suited to their needs. We work to help children in
the developing world, and we enable seriously ill children to realize a
special dream. From collecting change at airport locations and onboard our
international flights, to visiting hospitals; we're helping young people in
ways large and small. Kids' Horizons supports hundreds of charities and
non-profit organizations every year.
Air Canada salutes passengers and volunteers aboard the 20th anniversary Dreams Take Flight trip to DisneyWorld
Toronto Chapter Celebrates 20 Years of Making Children's Dreams Come True
MONTREAL, June 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada is proud of its volunteer
employees and friends of Dreams Take Flight who tomorrow are celebrating 20
years of making "Magical Memories for Special Kids" through Dreams Take
Flight, a not-for-profit Canadian organization that takes disadvantaged
children to Disney theme parks for a day of fun and adventure.
"Air Canada congratulates the Toronto chapter of Dreams Take Flight,
especially our own employee volunteers who are involved in making tomorrow a
magical day when children's dreams come true," said Calin Rovinescu, President
and Chief Executive of Air Canada. "What began as a one-time volunteer
undertaking by a handful of Air Canada employees in Toronto has grown over two
decades into a national program that by year end will have made 20,000 dreams
come true with a fun-filled, all-expense-paid day to Disney theme parks in
Florida and California. We are extremely proud of all our employees and
community volunteers from across Canada who work throughout the year to make
these special dreams a reality."
On Thursday, June 4, the Dreams Take Flight, Toronto Chapter, will mark
its 20th anniversary by flying two planeloads filled with 300 children to the
Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This is the single
largest contingent of children yet to participate in a Dreams Take Flight
pilgrimage to Disney. The children will get an early morning send-off from a
specially decorated Air Canada hangar featuring pre-flight events that include
sports celebrities, music, animals from the Bowmanville Zoo and other
entertainment.
Flights AC 7001 and AC 7003, operated by Aircraft Minnie and Aircraft
Mickey, will depart from an Air Canada hangar at 6420 Silver Dart Drive at 7
a.m. Media are invited to attend the pre-flight festivities, which begin at
4:30 a.m. For more information contact Peter Dychtiar, Flight Media Director,
at 905-374-4888 or email at sunburst@cogeco.ca
About Dreams Take Flight
Dreams Take Flight is a national volunteer charitable organization
dedicated to providing the trip of a lifetime to physically, mentally or
socially challenged children. With the aid of Air Canada, other national and
local organizations and businesses, money is raised to fund the program in
Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax.
Funds not required for its primary purpose can be gifted by Dreams Take Flight
to other registered charities that benefit physically, mentally or socially
challenged children and are within the policies adopted by Dreams Take Flight
Canada.
The first Dreams Take Flight station was founded in Toronto in 1989. It
has taken over 4,910 special children to the Magic Kingdom during its 20 year
history. The various volunteer groups across the country that organize the
Dream Flights officially united in 1998 as one national organization under the
banner "Dreams Take Flight". In total, by yearend, Dreams Take Flight stations
across Canada will have made 20,000 dreams with the trip of a lifetime to
Disney aboard aircraft supplied by Air Canada.
About Air Canada
Montréal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air
transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five
continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 13th largest commercial airline in
the world and serves 33 million customers annually. Air Canada is a founding
member of Star Alliance, providing the world's most comprehensive air
transportation network for Canadian domestic, transborder and international
travel. As well, customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future awards
through Canada's leading loyalty program.
In 2008, the readers of Business Traveler magazine voted Air Canada "Best
In-Flight Services in North America," "Best Airline for Business Class Service
in North America" and "Best North American Airline for International Travel." Through its community investment program, Kids' Horizons, Air Canada
actively supports each of the eight Dreams Take Flight Chapters and over 400
charitable organizations throughout Canada that improve the lives of children.
Through the Air Canada Kids' Horizons' Hospital Transportation Program, we
regularly transport kids requiring specialized medical attention to the
pediatric facilities best suited to their needs. We work to help children in
the developing world, and we enable seriously ill children to realize a
special dream. From collecting change at airport locations and onboard our
international flights, to visiting hospitals; we're helping young people in
ways large and small. Kids' Horizons supports hundreds of charities and
non-profit organizations every year.
Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
Yes, WJ just gives out a few gas coupons.The Raven wrote:Westjet gives out a few $10 gas coupons while Air Canada and it's employees take another 300 disadvantaged kids to Disneyworld. Over the last 20 years Air Canada has taken over 20,000 sick and disadvantaged children to the Disney theme parks. All employees volunteer their time.
Plus there's the whole "Make a Wish" thing.
Dreams Take Flight is a great program which I have had the opportunity to donate time to in the past, but WJ does something similar with Make a Wish.
Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
...and my weenie is bigger than your weenie.
bmc
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Jastapilot
- Rank 8
- Posts: 832
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:42 pm
Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
who cares?
http://www.makeawish.ca/partners/display/120
http://www.makeawish.ca/partners/display/120
Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
WestJet Lights the Way Home for Missing Children
CALGARY (June 1, 2009) — The Missing Children Society of Canada today thanked WestJet for their support of National Missing Children’s Day on May 25, 2009. WestJetters across the country helped the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) promote their “Light the Way Home for Missing Children” campaign throughout Canada.
“MCSC deeply appreciates WestJet’s continued support of National Missing Children’s Day” said Marilyne Aalhus, Director of Development, MCSC. “WestJetters went above and beyond on National Missing Children’s Day 2009.”
“WestJet is dedicated to supporting the heath and well-being of children and we’re honoured to be a national partner of MCSC,” said Scott Hartley, Manager, Sponsorship and Community Investment at WestJet. “It was our pleasure to promote National Missing Children’s Day on our aircraft and in our airports. We only hope our support and gift of flight will help bring our missing children home.”
MCSC is a WestJet Cares for Kids national partner. To show their support for MCSC on National Missing Children’s Day, WestJet advertised the “Light the Way Home” campaign on their aircraft’s seatback television on Canadian flights, at airport counters and internally to all staff throughout the month of May. Many of their frontline staff also took the opportunity to truly “Light the Way Home for Missing Children” by wearing MCSC glow necklaces on May 25.
WestJet has provided the gift of flight for over six years to MCSC. These flights allow MCSC investigators to travel to the frontline of a search and support any family who requires our services. “Without WestJet’s donation we could not assist the 300 families we work with every year.” said Marilyne Aalhus. “This partnership is truly amazing.”
To learn more about MCSC, visit www.mcsc.ca
Visit westjet.com to learn more about their community investment program.
To set up an interview with MCSC or WestJet, call Marilyne Aalhus at 1-800-661-6160.
CALGARY (June 1, 2009) — The Missing Children Society of Canada today thanked WestJet for their support of National Missing Children’s Day on May 25, 2009. WestJetters across the country helped the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) promote their “Light the Way Home for Missing Children” campaign throughout Canada.
“MCSC deeply appreciates WestJet’s continued support of National Missing Children’s Day” said Marilyne Aalhus, Director of Development, MCSC. “WestJetters went above and beyond on National Missing Children’s Day 2009.”
“WestJet is dedicated to supporting the heath and well-being of children and we’re honoured to be a national partner of MCSC,” said Scott Hartley, Manager, Sponsorship and Community Investment at WestJet. “It was our pleasure to promote National Missing Children’s Day on our aircraft and in our airports. We only hope our support and gift of flight will help bring our missing children home.”
MCSC is a WestJet Cares for Kids national partner. To show their support for MCSC on National Missing Children’s Day, WestJet advertised the “Light the Way Home” campaign on their aircraft’s seatback television on Canadian flights, at airport counters and internally to all staff throughout the month of May. Many of their frontline staff also took the opportunity to truly “Light the Way Home for Missing Children” by wearing MCSC glow necklaces on May 25.
WestJet has provided the gift of flight for over six years to MCSC. These flights allow MCSC investigators to travel to the frontline of a search and support any family who requires our services. “Without WestJet’s donation we could not assist the 300 families we work with every year.” said Marilyne Aalhus. “This partnership is truly amazing.”
To learn more about MCSC, visit www.mcsc.ca
Visit westjet.com to learn more about their community investment program.
To set up an interview with MCSC or WestJet, call Marilyne Aalhus at 1-800-661-6160.
Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
Go back and spend two days in January and I'll be more impressed.
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kevinsky18
- Rank 5
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:01 am
Re: Westjet making an impression in YZF
If West Jet wants people to ride their planes all they have to do is the one thing none of the airlines up here have done yet. Talk to the mines and find out what time thier flights arrive in town and then offer a connecting flight south.
West jet leaves at 13:15 every day.
On Tuesdays 100+ people come out of the Diavik mine at 13:00. . . Getting to the main terminal and onto that 13:15 plane is impossible. An adjustment of even 30 minutes later would give them a huge market share. . .
West jet leaves at 13:15 every day.
On Tuesdays 100+ people come out of the Diavik mine at 13:00. . . Getting to the main terminal and onto that 13:15 plane is impossible. An adjustment of even 30 minutes later would give them a huge market share. . .
