UW Engineering Society

As Waterloo Engineers we are very fortunate individuals and should give back to the community. EngSoc has a longstanding tradition of raising money to support both local and national charities. Charities that we have supported in the past include: Waterloo Foodbank, Canadian Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Society of Canada, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Free the Children, Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, Prostate Cancer Canada, Habitat for Humanity, Terry Fox Foundation, Brantford Participation House, Breast Cancer Society of Canada, Sleeping Children Around the World, and The Hope Spring Cancer Support Center.

Our charity events are typically organized to be fun so that people are motivated to participate. Who says you can't have fun while doing something good?

Here are some charity events that we run: 

Bus Push

Every winter term since 1977, Waterloo Engineers have raised money for a local charity through an event known as Bus Push. Over the years, the "push" has evolved into a "pull" with a thick rope attached to the bus and more room for participants. The route spans approximately 6.5 km. It starts at UW, then proceeds down University Avenue, onto King Street, and ends at Kitchener Market Square. Typically the bus drives the volunteers back and rarely does anyone get run-over. Donations often exceed five thousand dollars and include corporate sponsorships, business prize and food donations and pledges collected by participants. One term, one person raised over three thousand dollars by themselves.

Headshave

On the Sunday after frosh week it has become tradition for many leaders to shave off their hair in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Participants grow crazy hairstyles and auction off the right to shave it off, alternatively they auction off the right to have a crazy hairstyle shaved into their head.

Photo by: Stuart Pearson

Purpling For Alzheimers

For the past few spring terms EngSoc has organized and event where participants raised a certain amount of money to purple certain amounts of themselves. For those who don't know, purpling is a longstanding Engineering tradition across the country. Read more about it in our traditions section of the website.

Movember

Movember happens annually during the month of November. The goal of this event is to grow moustaches in support of Prostate Cancer Canada. Participants seek out donations from peers, professors, and others in order to raise money to help fund research on prostate cancer. While participants are mainly men, women can participate in two ways. They can become "Mo-Sistas" to a man growing a moustache and help him raise funds. The other way is that they can wear a fake moustache and participate as a moustache grower. For more information on Movember, click here.

[Movember Picture Here]

Food Sales in CPH Foyer

Each term the charities directors sell food in the foyer in support of a charity of their choice. The money to buy the food is supplied by EngSoc and all money they receive goes directly to that charity. In the past we have sold pancakes, ice cream, and other yummy treats. Watch for advertisements or just watch for food in CPH Foyer. 

[Pancake Picture here]

Jazz Band Charity Gig

Each term the Engineering Jazz Band, called With Respect To Time, performs their end of term gig in benefit of a charity of their choice. They ask that audience members bring donations, or simply donate by buying a ticket. This has happened at various locations across Waterloo, from Waterloo Park, to Uptown Square, to Conrad Grebel Great Hall. The jazz band is composed mostly of engineering students from all disciplines, and their membership ranges from 20 to 30 people each term. Visit the Eng Jazz Band Website for more information, or just keep your eyes peeled for advertising in month 3 of each term.

Float Day

This event varies from term to term, but always involves ice cream floats! Some term we give them away and ask for a donation that people think is fair, and some terms we require a minimum donation. Look for this event on summer terms when it's hot outside and you would use some ice cream and pop!

[Float Day Picture Here] 

Canstruction

This event runs annually in March, and benefits the Waterloo Food Bank and Waterloo Engineering usually participates. The goal of this event is to gather a large amount of non perishable food and create a large sculpture or work of art. The structures are then judged and prizes are awarded. Click Here for more information.

Wheelchair Basketball

EngSoc occasionally runs this event for the benefit of the Brantford Participation House. The charity provides the wheelchairs and EngSoc provides the players. A minimum donation is usually requested, and then all participants form teams to play basketball while driving a wheelchair. This event is supposed to encourage participants to think about how much more difficult life can be with a disability, and about what the Brantford Participation House does to help adults with disabilities realize their full potential.

Photo by: Michael Seliske