Calgarians Conquer Calgary Tower Steps to Honor Connor Vanderveen

Nearly 100 participants climbed all 802 steps of the Calgary Tower on Saturday, raising funds and awareness for the Canadian Angels Foundation, established in memory of Connor Vanderveen. This event, hosted by staff from Emily Follensbee School, aimed to support children with special needs in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The Canadian Angels Foundation was created after Connor, a student at Emily Follensbee, passed away in 2011 due to a rare genetic condition known as Hunter Syndrome. His mother, Geraldine Vanderveen, shared in an interview with CTV Calgary that Connor’s diagnosis led to significant changes in their lives. The family spent more time in Puerto Vallarta, where Geraldine’s parents lived, and experienced overwhelming support from the Calgary community, including the staff at Emily Follensbee and hospitals involved in Connor’s care.

The Vanderveen family felt a strong desire to assist children in Mexico who lacked access to essential resources. Geraldine emphasized the need to provide support to those in Puerto Vallarta: “We wanted to share that with the people in Puerto Vallarta who have nothing, who don’t have any programs, don’t have food for these kids.” This initiative fostered a spirit of collaboration, replicating the support and programs available in Calgary for those in need abroad.

One of the foundation’s notable achievements includes relocating the organization Pasitos de Luz from a cramped 700 square foot space to a newly constructed 20,000 square foot facility, affectionately referred to as a “castle.” This new space significantly enhances their capacity to serve children with special needs.

The fundraising goal for this year’s climb was $25,000. Despite having fewer climbers than in previous years, the event exceeded expectations, raising over $40,000 so far. Geraldine expressed hope for even greater contributions, stating, “Let’s go for $50,000. Anybody can still donate if they want to, until midnight tonight. Let’s do all we can to help the kids in the Puerto Vallarta area.”

The climb at Calgary Tower not only serves as a tribute to Connor but also as a testament to the enduring impact of community support and the importance of charity in improving the lives of children in need. For more information on how to support this cause, donations can still be made online until the end of the day.