NorQuest employees team up to combine work and play

An exciting and sometimes ridiculous employee competition raised spirits and funds at NorQuest College in June.

NorQuest employees walked, ran, cycled, danced, and lots more during the college’s first Walk-Run-Roll-Ride & Shine event from June 1 to 14. Teams earned points by tracking their total minutes of physical activity each day, fundraising for student awards, and completing a series of team challenges. The event brought employees together, whether it was a run on the weekend, sharing a bike commute home, or a group walk to a coffee shop before a meeting.

The fierce but friendly competition was designed to get employees active together and also raise important funds for Shine, NorQuest’s cherished student awards. Shine Awards recognize students who are selected by instructors for their thoughtful contributions to the classroom and to NorQuest as a whole. Although college employees were scoring the points, NorQuest students were the real winners: more than $4,000 was raised for Shine Awards.

“Shine Awards mean a lot to our students,” says Kimberley Brown, Development Officer, Campaign Planning & Major Gifts. “It was amazing to see everyone come together, have some fun, and support our learners.”

As the competition heated up, so did people’s creativity. Teams listed activities such as dodgeball, axe throwing, moving furniture, and water balloon fights. Bonus points were awarded to teams who were able to eat an Oreo cookie without using their hands or balancing dice on a popsicle stick. Teams often measured their success by how many laughs they shared.

“Walk-Run-Roll-Ride and Shine was the perfect way to keep us going at the end of the very busy Spring Term,” says Amy Stafford, Divisional Coordinator, Faculty of Health Studies. “The challenges helped motivate us to take our breaks, get up from our desk, and make some time to play at work. Our team had so much fun, and we felt re-energized by all the connection points we experienced as a team.”

Walk-Run-Roll-Ride & Shine results

126 participants 
15 teams 
​​​124,600 activity minutes 
$4,025 raised for Shine Awards 
123 kgs of food donated to the Students Association of NorQuest College’s emergency food hampers