November 7, 2025
GUEST BLOG: This blog is written by Stephanie Johnstone. She is a member of the Heartland Challenge, a group of United Way volunteers who give back to community organizations in Alberta’s Heartland Region through annual projects.
For nearly 30 years, BriarPatch Family Life Education Centre has walked alongside families in Sherwood Park and Strathcona County through their hardest moments—offering support through grief, loss, and healing. When childcare needs increased and they outgrew their longtime home in 2024, BriarPatch made a bold move to create bigger impact—expanding both their outdoor space and counselling support capacity.
The Heartland Challenge team answered the call. This summer, 97 volunteers came together to design and build an outdoor space where children learn and play, families gather in grief support programs, and loved ones are remembered in a peaceful memorial garden.
Started in 2014, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region’s Heartland Challenge brings together corporate partners and community organizations from Alberta’s Heartland area to support their community through partnerships with local United Way agencies. This year, 12 organizations from Fort Saskatchewan, Redwater, and Strathcona County collaborated, with generous support from RONA Sherwood Park, who provided building materials at cost.
Throughout June, volunteers worked in shifts to build a large deck for gathering and meals, a gazebo, a mini city and sensory area for children in care, and garden boxes for growing food.
The results exceeded expectations. “I was blown away by how much we accomplished, how it came to life, and all the vibrant colors,” said Travis Budjak from Spartan Controls, a longtime Heartland Challenge supporter and volunteer. “It was an awesome team collaboration every day with each group coming in.” Laura Seto from Enbridge noted the incredible turnout and how remarkable it was to see all the plans materialize.
When Executive Director Chy Salter-Roberts first saw the completed space, tears filled her eyes. The transformation wasn’t just about new structures—it was about volunteers who understood the heart of BriarPatch’s mission and brought it to life. “It was easily my favourite project over the last five years,” said Ray from MEGlobal. “It just had a different feel to it because of Chy and her staff’s passion for the project and what they do.”
This space will serve families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments for years to come—offering children room to play and heal, and giving families a peaceful place to gather and remember.
A special thanks to Heartland Challenge Executive Sponsor Don Cameron from Dow Canada and to our participating organizations for 2025: Sherritt International, Pembina, Enbridge, Spartan Controls, Keyera, Alexander Willowridge Construction, Taurus Projects, Wolf Midstream, MEGlobal, Nutrien, Dow Canada, and NorthWest Redwater.
Volunteers from the Engineering Day of Caring transformed Alberta Parenting for the Future Association’s indoor and outdoor spaces, creating accessible, welcoming environments where families can learn, play, and heal.
