Bring ‘Em Up Sask seeks to enhance sport, culture and recreation opportunities for immigrant and refugee youth.
How Bring ‘Em Up Started
In the fall of 2024, BK Woldu was invited to Sheldon Williams Collegiate for a “career couch chat” with Bree Burgess’ Grade 9 Health class. Students were interested in careers in sales, so BK was interviewed and shared his life story with the class. In addition to his athletic success as a player with the Regina Rams, BK was well known in the community as a successful salesperson and manager at BMW.
Before listening to BK’s interview in her class, Bree had been unaware of BK’s life story and experience as a refugee. After learning about his experiences, she had the idea to help kids like BK gain access to the same sports opportunities that were provided to him by generous citizens of Regina. Bree approached him with the idea of creating something to help the next generation of immigrants and refugees, with the hope of providing them similar opportunities through sport.
Joined by their partners, Whitney Lupastin and Jared Woloshyn, Bree & BK began brainstorming ideas to raise money to help immigrant and refugee youth experience sport, with the hopes of creating a path to a successful life. The group decided to host a gala, and reached out to Bree’s former U of R basketball teammates: Jennilea Coppola, Harmony McMillan & Heather McMurray to assist in the planning. Over the course of eight months, these seven individuals created Bring Em’ Up Sask and partnered with the Regina Open Door Society (RODS) to help provide opportunities for kids to participate in sports activities, leagues and camps, with the hopes of eliminating barriers new Canadians might experience and maximize participation.
GALA 2025
Itinerary
- 5:30-6:30 – Drinks
- 6:30-6:45 – Welcome by EMCEE Mark Johnston & Story by Murad Al-Katib
- 6:45-7:30 – Supper
- 7:30-7:45 – Heads or Tails for Bearded Chef Supper
- 7:45-8:30 – Couch Chat with BK Woldu & Mark Johnston & Video of Ajou Ajou
- 8:30-8:45 – Heads or Tails for Canucks Box Seats
- 8:45-9:00 – Parting Message & Promise by Bree Burgess
- 9:00-11:00 – DJ SKNNYKRS in the mezzanine
Guest Speakers
Mark Johnston
PLAY 92.1 RADIO HOST
BK Woldu
BMW REGINA MANAGER
Ajou Ajou
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
WIDE RECEIVER
Our Sponsors
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Contact Us
Interested in getting involved? Contact us to learn how you can support this project through volunteering, donating, or other forms of participation.