United in community

December is a special time of year for many of us, and for United, it marks the one-year anniversary of welcoming three outstanding communities into our family. This past year has been one of growth, learning, and giving back. As a Calgary-based company, United Active Living is deeply committed to community – through its partnerships and work of the United Active Living Foundation. This commitment also comes to life through United’s residents and team members who are equally committed to making a positive difference in our broader community.

At United’s Fish Creek community, residents spent time in the art studio sewing soft flannel hearts on behalf of Heart Scents — an organization that distributes the hearts to the Rocky View Hospital NICU. These fabric hearts are given to new parents as a way to support bonding with their newborns when skin-to-skin contact isn’t possible. Parents first wear the flannel hearts, then place them in the incubator so their baby can be comforted by their parents’ scent and begin forming an essential early connection with their parents.

Over at Garrison Green and Lake Bonavista Village, residents gather for a weekly knitting club: socializing while keeping their hands busy knitting and crocheting cozy mittens, toques, scarves, and other winter wear. Their handmade creations are distributed to organizations across the city, such as The Salvation Army, to support Calgarians in need and help them stay warm through the cold winter months.

Alzheimer Calgary is an organization near and dear to the hearts of many of United’s residents. Trinity Lodge resident Ron Freckleton leads a yearly fundraising campaign in the community, inviting his fellow residents the opportunity to adopt a dahlia in the sprawling courtyards, to raise funds, along with many other initiatives to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s disease. This year, Ron’s efforts were recognised at the Top 7 Over 70 awards, as a recipient of this prestigious honour.

Also recognized as a Top 7 Over 70 nominee, Joy Ripley of The Lodge at Valley Ridge was celebrated for her lifelong commitment to animal welfare. From supporting elephant conservation efforts in Africa to advocating for pets closer to home, Joy has spent decades making the world a kinder place for animals. Her involvement with Pets for Life, the Alberta SPCA, and many other organizations has left a lasting and meaningful impact on animal welfare across our province.

Across our communities, generosity is overflowing — quite literally — with donation bins brimming in support of the Calgary Food Bank. Lake Bonavista Village furthered these fundraising efforts through its Annual Craft & Bake Sale, donating all the proceeds to the Calgary Food Bank. At Trinity Lodge, residents and team members assembled a soaring mountain of gratitude in support of the Veterans’ Food Bank.

A grandparent’s love certainly doesn’t stop at the international borders — kids are top of mind for Trinity Lodge residents who packed toys and treats into shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, spreading love and joy to children in communities far from home.

In 2025, the United Active Living Foundation established a partnership with Unison 50+ by adopting a classroom.  Team members spent a day refreshing a key space at the Kerby Centre — an important hub where older adults gather for education, social programs, and access to community resources. Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation will continue its partnership with Unison by supporting the Thrive Food Security Program, which facilitates access to nutritious food through the Unison Market, Calgary’s only food bank specifically dedicated to serving older adults. The market is thoughtfully designed as a shopping experience, addressing food insecurity while also offering choice and flexibility in a dignified, welcoming environment.

“Our deep local connections are part of who we are and where we started,” says Kim O’Brien, President & CEO of United Active Living. “That connection to the greater Calgary community shapes the experience we create within our communities and extends well beyond our walls. Many of our residents have long been active, engaged citizens, and they continue to value opportunities to give back and make a difference. We often describe United as a family, and those family-like relationships are at the heart of who we are. Giving back to our broader community is simply an extension of that.”

Throughout the holiday season and beyond, United’s residents and team members are building community — one connection at a time. Stop by and see how we celebrate being together, giving back, and making every moment meaningful.