From Friday, June 18th to Tuesday, June 22nd, 50 local companies set off on an Amazing Race as part of the Ninth Annual Windsor Corporate Challenge. After a long year of social distance, these co-workers came together to promote a sense of togetherness, challenge one another and build lasting memories while supporting a local charity initiative. 
This year the Windsor Corporate Challenge is proud to announce they raised $102,500 to support Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation and Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County in the establishment of Windsor’s first Youth Wellness Hub. The Hub will bring health care and social services under one roof to make it easier for young people to access mental health and substance use support services.
“I am beyond impressed by how our teams came together this year,” says Meighen Nehme, Founder of Windsor Corporate Challenge and President and C.E.O. of The Job Shoppe. “Despite the pandemic and the separation, everyone brought the same enthusiasm and spirit to this event as we have seen in the past. We could not have done it without the continuous generosity of our sponsors and our community who came together during a challenging time to support such a worthy cause.”
The Windsor Corporate Challenge looked different this year than it has in the past, but it still brought co-workers together and saw companies compete against one another. Through the use of an app, teams of 5 set off on the WCC Amazing Race Challenge through Walkerville where they visited local sites, answered trivia questions, took photos, and completed challenges. Points were awarded for creativity, speed, spirit, and overall teamwork to see which company would come out on top. This event was a phenomenal way for employees to get together in a safe manner after so long apart.
“I wanted teams to have an outlet to work together and get outside of the office and do something fun,” says Nehme. “That has been one of the main reasons people continue to support Windsor Corporate Challenge because they get to connect outside of work and strengthen friendships while giving back to the community.”
“To all the teams, businesses, and community members who helped support Windsor Corporate Challenge, we are extremely grateful,” states Bill Marra, Vice President of External Affairs. “Your teamwork and generosity will help the Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation establish a much-needed service in our community.”
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who took part in the Windsor Corporate Challenge,” states Kim Willis, Director, Communications & Mental Health Promotion, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). “Your donations will help to change the lives of so many youth in Windsor-Essex. Windsor Corporate Challenge is an amazing event that supports not only companies and their employees, but the needs of local charities and organizations. We are honored to be one of the recipients of this year’s Windsor Corporate Challenge.”
Workforce Windsor-Essex came out on top as the overall winner of the 2021 Windsor Corporate Challenge. Many other teams proved themselves as well in other areas.
The top fundraising team this year was the Stigma Smashers from Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare with $4,870.00 raised. In second, was Team Intaxicated from Grant Thornton LLP with $3,165.00 and third place was Team #2 from Bartlet and Richardes LLP with $2,760.00. The top individual fundraisers included Audrey from Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital Stigma Smashers with $2,860.00, Justeen from Bartlet and Richardes LLP with $2,735.00, and Bianca from The Monty’s with $2,000.00. Additionally, the CMHA Windsor-Essex Stay-at-Homies took home the Team Spirit Award.
A special thank you to all our sponsors St. Clair College, St. Clair College Alumni, Fortis Group, The Toy Box, TD Bank, The Job Shoppe, and Oven 360. Additionally, we would like to thank Wineology, Anchor Coffee House, Walkerville Chill, and Vito’s Pizzeria for opening their doors to our teams and providing Pit Stops on their race.
Thank you to all the businesses that helped us fill our Experience Boxes, as well as everyone that sponsored this year’s participant booklet and to all of the generous local businesses who provided prizes for our top fundraisers! And a final thank you to Dominos Pizza for their donations and for hosting a pizza fundraiser to raise money for Windsor Corporate Challenge.
Save the date for the 10th annual Windsor Corporate Challenge on Saturday, June 18th, 2022. We hope to see you all in person next year.
