2023 Impact Awards winner: Little Short Stop Stores

Deciding to support multiple sclerosis (MS) was not a difficult decision. It was a personal one for general manager Gerry Bes and his team to honour Lenny George, a long-time employee. George started with the company in 1968 and retired in 2012 to take care of his brother, who had been living with MS. “Once we became involved, we learned more about the disease, who it impacts and how pervasive it is among Canadians and our circle of family and friends as well,” says Bes. “It was a real eye-opener.”

Since 2013, Little Short Stop Stores have held a Round-Up for MS program a month prior to the MS Walk. Customers are encouraged to round-up their total spends to donate the difference. “From the very beginning, our team was very engaged,” Bes explains. “Everyone wanted to do it for Lenny, someone many of our staff knew. Their excitement inspires our newest staff members, and they want to be involved, too.”

In 2023 alone, they raised more than $31,000. To date, the Ontario-based c-store chain has donated over $220,000 to MS to support research and family caregiving. “We hope our small effort will assist in finding a cure for MS, as 12 Canadians are diagnosed with the disease every day,” says Bes.