United Way partners with Big Wheel Burger to raise $5,000 in support of childhood reading programs in the CRD

September 15, 2020 / by United Way

Sept 15, 2020, Victoria, BC – To celebrate International Literacy Day and the return of school, United Way Greater Victoria (UWGV) and Big Wheel Burger sold a total of 1,452 burgers raising $5,000 for the first annual Burger Day for United Way promotion on September 8, 2020.

“We can’t thank the team at Big Wheel Burger enough for helping bolster our fall phase of our community campaign,” said Mark Breslauer, CEO, United Way Greater Victoria. “The feedback from burger customers and passersby was amazing and this donation will help 40 children under the age of 5 and their families start Imagination Libraries in their homes.”

The Imagination Library is a free book gifting program United Way is fundraising for to bring to southern Vancouver Island. How the program works is each month, children enrolled in the program receive a high quality, age-appropriate book in the mail, free of charge.

The Burger Day for United Way promotion is part of UWGV’s annual community campaign asking individuals and businesses to show their local love by giving back. As part of their areas of action to help recover and rebuild during COVID-19, UWGV is helping families in need by increasing children’s literacy in the Capital Regional District (CRD) through an investment in childhood reading programs. Through the Imagination Library, children receive books from birth to age five and during that time a home-based library is created.

United Way is funding this program and other initiatives to help families facing poverty support their children transitioning through all of life’s stages including early year’s programming, after-school care and homework clubs, and counselling support and mentorship.

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United Way Greater Victoria

United Way is a trusted leader, influencer and catalyst for change. United, we accelerate change to improve the lives of our neighbours who need it most, making our local community stronger. We believe everyone in Greater Victoria should have the opportunity to reach their potential. Our vision is to build a safe and resilient community where happiness and belonging connect us. Last fiscal year United Way raised $4.7 million thanks to over 7,000 donors and over 250 workplaces opening their offices to run employee giving programs. These funds allowed United Way to support over 90,000 people. Show your local love today by making a gift to United Way at uwsvi.ca.

Big Wheel Burger 

As Canada’s first carbon-neutral restaurant, Big Wheel Burger provides the best quality burgers, shakes, sodas and fries through local, sustainable and environmentally friendly resources. It’s fast food without the guilt trip.

Big Wheel has taken inspiration from the classic American cheeseburger and re-created it using quality, fresh ingredients. Burgers are ground in-house everyday using hormone-free, range-fed, AAA beef, and presented with fast, friendly service. They source locally from Island Farms, Berryman Brother’s butchery, Hoyne Brewing, Phillips Brewing and Malting, Phillips Sodaworks & Island Bakery. Big Wheel Burger is quintessential local eating.

Big Wheel Burger’s approach goes beyond its menu: by taking responsibility for its impact and choices, Big Wheel strives to offer a classic burger joint experience that doesn’t harm the environment, its customers, or communities. They hope this sets an example for other businesses to follow.

Media Contact

Heather Skydt
United Way Greater Victoria, Director Marketing and Communications
heather@uwgv.ca Cell: 250-686-3606

Vanessa Johnson
Beattie Tartan, vanessa.johnson@beattiegroup.com Cell: 250-508-1833