Qualico Communities and Industry Partners Raise More Than $28,000 for Charitable Organizations Through Weight Loss Challenge
Calgary, AB – [July 22, 2026]: Qualico Communities Calgary and four industry partners raised $28,320 for three charitable organizations through a six-month Weight Loss Challenge that encouraged participants to adopt healthier eating and exercise habits.
Running from September 2025 to March 2026, the challenge brought together six participants from across the industry: Cary Kienitz (Qualico Communities), Kirk Borger (Borger Group of Companies), Stephen White and Richard MacNeil (EXP), Trent Bradley (Kidco Construction), and Brian Dziadek (Kelmar).
Participants could focus on healthier eating, increased physical activity or a combination of both, based on the approach that worked best for them. The challenge added an element of friendly competition while encouraging participants to develop healthier and more sustainable habits.
Every pound contributed to the final donation.
Each participating company pledged a set donation amount for every pound lost by its representative. Over the course of the challenge, the six participants lost a combined 177 pounds, generating a total donation of $28,320.
“It’s an incredible feeling to know that your lifestyle changes can help other people along the way,” said Cary Kienitz, General Manager, Qualico Communities Calgary. “The encouragement and friendly competition kept everyone motivated, and we are proud that the participants’ efforts will now make a difference through three deserving organizations.”
Supporting Organizations that Create Lasting Impact
While every participant made an incredible contribution throughout the challenge, Qualico Communities’ General Manager, Cary Kienitz, earned top honours and was given the opportunity to direct the donations to three remarkable organizations whose work aligns closely with Qualico’s commitment to enhancing quality of life and building stronger communities.
- Families of Alberta for Conductive Education: provides specialized Conductive Education programs for people living with cerebral palsy and other neuromotor conditions. Their programs combine movement, learning, communication and daily living skills to help participants develop greater confidence and independence.
- The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation: supports care for children and families by funding specialized equipment, research, programs and family-centered services at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
- Heart & Stroke Foundation: supports research, education, advocacy and prevention initiatives focused on reducing the impact of heart disease and stroke across Canada.
Celebrating Wellness, Partnership and Purpose
The Weight Loss Challenge reflects Qualico’s commitment to Community Connection, one of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility pillars. The pillar focuses on strengthening relationships, supporting well-being and contributing to the communities that Qualico serves.
By connecting individual wellness goals with charitable giving, the participants turned every pound lost into a contribution toward organizations, making a meaningful difference.
The challenge also demonstrated the impact that can be created when companies across the land development and construction industries come together around a shared purpose.
See photos and videos of the Weight Loss Challenge here: Drive Link
About Qualico Communities
Qualico has been in the homebuilding and land development industry for 75 years and is based in Winnipeg. Qualico has offices in Calgary, Surrey, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Regina, Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Dallas and Austin, Texas. Qualico Communities has strong philanthropic roots and supports numerous community organizations and charitable initiatives.
Current active Qualico Communities include Ambleton, Ambleridge, Bellwether, Hotchkiss, Crestmont View, Stonegate, and Vermilion Hill in the City of Calgary; Harmony in Springbank; Rivercrest and Southbow Landing in Cochrane; Vantage Rise in Airdrie; Dawson’s Landing and Bridgeport in Chestermere; and Painted Sky in Langdon.