Menu

Event Profile: Celebrating Nine Years – The Dream Centre’s Annual Stampede Breakfast!

Join us today as we hear from Amy Funk, Development Specialist, about our 9th Annual Stampede Breakfast. Read below for the inside scoop of this amazing event!

Last week I officially became a Calgarian, despite the fact that I have been living in the city for 9 years. On July 4th, I attended and organized my first ever stampede breakfast hosted by the Calgary Dream Centre and Shine FM/The Light AM. We welcomed over 1000 guests and dished up fluffy pancakes and sausage in true Calgary Stampede fashion. I cannot believe it took me 9 years to participate in this iconic Calgary festivity.

What a privilege to help organize this event on behalf of the Dream Centre! Reflecting on the sense of community that was felt throughout and leading up to the event brings me such joy. Businesses in Calgary care deeply for those in our community who are most vulnerable and underserved.

We reached out to lots of local businesses seeking sponsorship and support for our stampede breakfast and received such positive responses from local business owners eager to support our cause. Pureform Radiology, David’s Tea, Starbucks, Atco, and the Calgary Food Bank just to name a few.

It was an honor to give back to our community through our Stampede Breakfast and show our appreciation for all the ways Calgarians support the life changing work that happens at the Dream Centre.

It was remarkable to witness the Calgary western spirit come alive as folks gathered in the Dream Centre parking lot to kick of the 2024 Stampede season. A sea of cowboy hats, plaid, and fringe suede jackets filled the Dream Centre parking lot. Folks chanting “YAHOO”, “Howdy”, and “YEEHAW” could be heard all along Macleod Trail celebrating the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

The icing on the cake (or should I say syrup on the pancakes?) was being presented with the Western Spirit Recognition Award by the Calgary Stampede.

This event would not have been possible without the help of 100+ Dream Centre volunteers, staff members, board members, and supporters who showed up ready to flip pancakes, greet guests, guide parking, change garbage bags, hand out prizes, and pour coffee.

We are so thrilled to partner with our co-hosts and friends at Shine FM/The Light AM who support the Dream Centre in hosting a bucket list stampede breakfast every year. We are especially grateful for all the volunteers, without whom this event would not be possible.

And thank YOU, Calgary, for all the ways you support the Dream Centre and those struggling with addiction and homelessness. We can’t wait to celebrate our 10th annual Stampede Breakfast next year! Happy Stampeding and stay cool 🤠 YAHOO!

We can’t do it without you.

Together we can remind the people of Calgary that no one is beyond hope.

Close
Donate Today

Werner Haag

Bio coming soon.

Steven Balisky

Steve Balisky is an intrapreneur with over 15 years of experience driving data-driven transformation within national companies Suncor and Mark’s. He has also been providing leadership consulting to nonprofits for the last 10 years and has served on the CDC board since 2019. Steve holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management and an MBA in Strategy. He is a husband and father of two, and has his own faith-filled recovery story, which inspires him to support others on their path to recovery.

Ben Johnson

Ben has been the Lead Pastor of First Assembly Church in Calgary since 2014, bringing over 30 years of ministry and leadership experience to the non-profit sector. He’s also an executive leadership coach, helping leaders thrive across various sectors since 2012. His experience includes serving on national and regional boards within his denomination, as well as supporting Vancouver’s homeless through his past involvement with Operation Compassion. Ben has served on the CDC board in Calgary for the past decade and believes the Church plays a vital role in creating lasting community impact.

Craig Hill

Craig Hill has been involved with the Calgary Dream Centre (CDC) since its inception. Starting with trips to the LA Dream Centre where seeds were planted in him that were never forgotten. After years of working in business, real estate, and church ministry, Craig returned to the CDC to step in as the CEO. Craig has a deep appreciation for the life change that happens here, the incredible team, and seeing the redemptive work that God is doing. Outside of work, Craig is a family man who loves nothing more than being with his wife and kids at the lake.

David Taylor

David grew up in northern Canada and attended the University of Alberta where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He worked as an engineer for about seven years before moving into project management and then business management, primarily focused in the oil and gas production and refining industry.

David stepped into the COO role of a business that was in trouble due to the 2008 financial crisis. After turning that business around, he took an international role leading project managers who managed a portfolio of $1.5B of projects around the globe.

Since then, David has consulted for businesses and organizations in medicine, engineering, homelessness, and addiction recovery, and serves on various not-for-profit boards.

David is currently running another business in California that was also in need of a dramatic turnaround and now scaling this business for further profitable growth.

Cal Johnson

Cal has spent 35 years in the agricultural industry and brings domestic and international executive leadership experience in strategy development, operations, business development, and M&A in a rapid growth environment.  He is a Professional Engineer, Certified Post Merger Integration Specialist, and is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D).

Throughout his life, Cal has volunteered in his community in sport and programs that focus on relational, emotional, and spiritual health.  He has served on non-profit boards in both governance and advisory capacities.  Cal truly believes no one is beyond hope and counts it a privilege to serve at the Calgary Dream Centre.

We want to stay connected, Calgary! ​

Stay connected with us! Sign up to receive all our updates, including inspiring stories, important news, event invitations, and opportunities to get involved with the Calgary Dream Centre. Be the first to know how you can make a difference.

Your data is in the safe hands. Check out our Privacy policy for more info.

Bob Nash

Bob Nash is a dedicated and service focused professional Electrical Engineer volunteering as Board Chair and Project Manager for the Calgary Dream Centre (CDC). Bob’s involvement with the CDC extends to its earliest days.  His faith, and his sincere passion for helping people overcome addiction and restoring their lives, have motivated his service. Using his 35 years of senior management experience at Canadian Pacific Railway, Bob has effectively used his leadership, management, strategic planning, project management skills and philanthropic support to help propel the Calgary Dream Centre to where it is today. Bob and his wife of 44 years have two children and six grandchildren.