Grebel Spirit Shines on Giving Day
Each year in May, the University of Waterloo comes together for a campus-wide fundraising initiative called Giving Day. While still a new tradition, the excitement this year spread across campus, into Grebel alumni networks, and caught the attention of Grebel students too, thanks to the introduction of the Goose Game.
During this unified day of giving, each faculty and unit highlighted a specific fundraising priority. Grebel chose to raise money for the Student Access Bursary, which provides financial assistance so students can study, live and participate in the Grebel community. It also helps students facing unexpected financial challenges. With rising costs and recent changes to OSAP grant eligibility, this support is increasingly vital.
New this year, Waterloo created the Goose Game, a playful competition where players flew the legendary Waterloo goose, dodging obstacles and collecting coins. With points contributing to campus fundraising totals and a friendly leaderboard competition across faculties and units, players could designate their points to certain faculties or units. The top five areas with the most points split $4000 from an anonymous donor and the top player could award an additional $1000 to any fund on campus.
Devon Grainger, Building Operator at Grebel, quickly climbed the leaderboard, and he started spreading the word. His early lead helped fuel momentum within the Grebel community. “The Goose Game has been a cool fundraising initiative,” Devon shared. “It's been a great way to collab with folks on campus through friendly competition and for our staff and students to connect in our community.”
"That’s the greatest thing about Grebel — that every single action is an act of community."
Grebel students heard about the game and quickly began strategizing together. Gillian Devich, who is currently a Don at Grebel, said the competition became a way to support students affected by OSAP cuts. “There is something about Grebel that makes you feel so patriotic and driven by it,” she said. “The result was unsurprising. It isn’t because we have better goose flapping or screen tapping skills, but because coming together as a community, for community, is second nature to us. That’s the greatest thing about Grebel — that every single action is an act of community."
Alum Aaron Bueckert made it to the leaderboard early in the game, energized by friendly competition. “When Grebel first started making its big comeback over the Pharmacy school, I couldn't help but wonder what all the other departments were thinking while looking at us climb,” he shared. “I can just picture them throwing their hands up in the air, saying ‘welp, the Grebelites are at it again.’"
In the end, Devon secured the top spot as game champion. Among more than 17,500 total plays in the game, his sustained effort put him at the top of the leaderboard, and he designated his winnings to Grebel.
"It was a lot of fun bringing the entire Grebel community of students, staff, and alumni together in a friendly competition for a good cause,” remarked Chris Brnjas, Director of Development. “Grebel's community spirit is our superpower — and it felt good to be the smallest college yet come away with the win. Thank you to all who joined in for an enjoyable collective distraction — and ultimately we're grateful that we're able to offer more financial support as a result."
Donors were generous on Giving Day. The University as a whole raised $1.05 million to support students across campus. With matching funds from an anonymous donor, plus winnings from the Goose Game, donors gifted Grebel $19,863.06 that will help students fully participate in Grebel life and keep the College community vibrant, welcoming, and full of possibility. Thank you to everyone who helped make this campaign a success, whether through donations, Goose Game points, or by encouraging others to participate.
