Latest news with #FrankCapasso
Winnipeg Free Press
05-08-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Free Press Head Start for Aug. 5
A mix of sun and cloud, with wind from the southeast at 30 km/h. High 27 C. Humidex 33. UV index 7 or high. What's happening today Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to be in Kelowna, B.C., for an announcement at a lumber facility on Tuesday after attending the Vancouver Pride parade on the weekend before he toured a Canadian Forces facility on Vancouver Island on Monday. The Canadian Press reports. Today's must-read For Manitoba seniors living in personal-care homes, mealtime should be highlights of the day. Many, however, consider them sources of distress rather than nourishment or comfort. That was the finding of a recent Free Press article that found some of Winnipeg's 37 personal-care homes provide food that is mass-produced in an off-site commercial kitchen, frozen and then reheated and served to residents. The solution would be for every PCH to have its own kitchen where good, healthy and appealing food can be prepared. And that's what happens in the majority of the 24 non-profit and mostly faith-based PCHs that are part of the Manitoba Association of Residential and Community Care Homes for Everyone. For them, it's a matter of food and faith. But it's a challenge because of a lack of funding needed to ensure their residents get the best food to eat. John Longhurst has the story. Gary Ledoux (right), director of Bethania Personal Care Home, and Delroy Clarke, director of food and environmental services, in the kitchen where staff are preparing lunch for care home residents. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press) On the bright side Frank Capasso has an impressive collection of awards for the volunteer work he's done over the last 45 years, but he says recognition is not what motivates him. 'The feeling of giving back to the community makes me tick,' he says. In recent years, Capasso has focused his efforts in Sage Creek, the southeast Winnipeg neighbourhood he moved into 13 years ago. Aaron Epp has more here. Sage Creek Residents' Association president Frank Capasso at the pump track named in his honour. (Brook Jones / Free Press) On this date On Aug. 5, 1922: The Manitoba Free Press reported in London, the Canadian minister of trade and commerce said that because Russian trading was done through a Soviet government organization, it would not be useful to send a Canadian trade commissioner to Russia. In Ottawa, a report compiled by the department of customs showed a dramatic increase in the volume of motor traffic into Canada; the number of such visits for 1921 was 617,385 compared to 93,300 in 1920. Read the rest of this day's paper here. Search our archives for more here. Today's front page Get the full story: Read today's e-edition of the Free Press .
Winnipeg Free Press
05-08-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Community is everything for hard-working retiree
Frank Capasso has an impressive collection of awards for the volunteer work he's done over the last 45 years, but he says recognition is not what motivates him. 'The feeling of giving back to the community makes me tick,' he says. In recent years, Capasso has focused his efforts in Sage Creek, the southeast Winnipeg neighbourhood he moved into 13 years ago. Since 2013, Capasso has served as president of the Sage Creek Residents' Association. Since then, he's played a key role in the installation of a cell tower and contributed to upgrades to the Ron Duhamel Park playground. The 71-year-old retiree also spearheaded the construction of the Capasso Pump Track. Initiated by the residents association and supported by the city, province and real estate developer Qualico Communities, the track is a state-of-the-art recreational facility designed to provide residents with an active, outdoor space for cycling, skateboarding and more. For his efforts, the pump track was named in Capasso's honour. 'I was humbled,' he says, adding that while the track bears his name, he wasn't alone in making it a reality. '(There was) a combined effort from everyone to make it happen.' Born and raised in Nola, a town in southern Italy, Capasso moved to Winnipeg with his parents and siblings when he was 14 years old. The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to or call 204-477-5180. The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to or call 204-477-5180. The 36th annual Teddy Bears' Picnic is happening at Assiniboine Park on Sept. 7. The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba needs event-day volunteers to help with the craft and face-painting tents. Pancake breakfast servers and hospitality crew members, and event support crew members, are also needed. There are a variety of shifts available to accommodate personal schedules. People are welcome to apply in groups or individually at by Aug. 15. Volunteers are needed for A Taste of Manitoba, which is happening at Fort Gibraltar from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1. Apply at by Aug. 15. Inclusion Winnipeg needs enthusiastic and dedicated people from diverse backgrounds to serve on its board of directors. The ideal candidates will have experience in one or more of the following areas: governance, accounting, investment management, finance, fundraising, legal, human resources and public relations. They must be willing to actively participate in board meetings, committees and events. Email jforbes@ by Aug. 22. Special Olympics Manitoba needs coaches who are energetic and passionate about sport, and have a couple of hours per week to spare. Head and assistant coaches are needed for swimming, five-in bowling, FUNdamentals (ages 7 to 12), junior basketball and junior athletics in Winnipeg for the fall/winter 2025-26 season. Head and assistant coaches are needed for floorball in Stonewall. No experience is needed because training will be provided. Email volunteer co-ordinator Emma at ewedlake@ by Aug. 31. 1JustCity needs drop-in volunteers at the Pimicikamak Wellness Centre site to help with its community programs, including lunch and dinner services. Volunteers take on tasks such as serving coffee and snacks, tidying up the space and ensuring a warm and inclusive environment for all visitors. No special skills are required, and volunteers can choose from daytime or evening shifts at any of the three drop-in locations. Apply at by Dec. 30. The Ecuadorian Association of Manitoba needs volunteers who speak Spanish or are passionate about the culture to help with events. The position is an opportunity to gain experience in event management. People are welcome to apply at any time, but to participate in events this summer and fall, they should apply at volunteer@ or this month August. SuperWalk is Parkinson Canada's largest annual fundraiser, helping the organization provide support and advocacy, and funding research for people living with and impacted by the disease. Event-day volunteers are needed. Roles include event setup/take down, registration, greeting, food services, entertainment support, checkpoint stations and cheering on walkers. Events are taking place across Canada — including in Winnipeg — on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7. The time commitment varies. Volunteers will be contacted before the event to confirm their shift time, role and event details. Apply online at by Sept. 5. Canada's largest volunteer-led event for breast cancer — the CIBC Run for the Cure, in support of the Canadian Cancer Society — returns Oct. 5. Volunteers are needed to help plan and lead events across the country. To explore available positions, go to The application deadline is the day of the event. The Canadian Red Cross Society needs volunteers in Manitoba for programs such as Smart Start and Disaster Risk Reduction. These roles involve leading sessions on climate change and emergency preparedness, and require effective communication skills and cultural sensitivity. Volunteers might also join the emergency responder and personal disaster assistance teams to help during disasters. Training and background checks are mandatory. This opportunity offers experience in public speaking and crisis management. Send a resumé to SmartStart@ by Dec. 31. By 17 he had entered the workforce as a labourer at Canadian Tool & Die. Over the course of 50 years he ascended the ranks of the company, retiring as executive vice-president in 2022. Along the way he married his wife, Angie, and they had three children. A lifelong soccer player, Capasso started volunteering with local soccer organizations in the late 1970s. He served as president of the Manitoba Soccer Association and became a board member with the Canadian Soccer Association. Additionally, Capasso served a two-year term as chairman of the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada, an organization that advocates for the agricultural sector. He credits his ambition to his family's meagre start in Canada. 'When I came from Italy we had nothing, so we always had to strive to be better,' Capasso says. 'I always (thought), if you want to become a somebody, you have to work hard for it and have a passion for hard work. Hard work always pays off.' In recent months, Capasso added two awards to his collection: a King Charles III Coronation Medal and a Mayor's Volunteer Service Award. Capasso always has the community in mind, says Olohigbe Fatoyinbo, who nominated him for the latter recognition. 'I see him as someone who pushes and strives for excellence,' says Fatoyinbo, a board member with the Sage Creek Residents' Association. '(When) he thinks about something, he doesn't think about the obstacles around it. He has the end game in mind.' St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes has worked with Capasso numerous times since Sage Creek became part of his ward and says Capasso is willing to work with 'a lot of different people from a lot of walks of life' to get things done. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'A lot of people view Sage Creek as a suburban wasteland, and I think Frank's part of the group of people who have shown it's a community,' Mayes says. Now that he's retired, Capasso's days usually begin with meeting friends for coffee on Corydon Avenue. After lunch, he makes calls and attends meetings as part of his work with the residents association. He hopes his story inspires others. 'I'd love to see a lot more people involved in our communities so that we can give back… and make sure (our) communities thrive,' he says. If you know a special volunteer, email Aaron EppReporter Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
