Calen's Story: Building Community Through Philanthropic Partnerships

Calen McNeil, the owner of Big Wheel Burger, shares the inspiring journey of his relationship with Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore (SIVW), which began about three to four years ago. "Our philosophy is to work with impactful organizations making a difference. We’re all about coming together as a group to make a positive impact."

Soroptimist reached out to Big Wheel Burger, seeking support for their Dream It, Be It conference. Calen was immediately drawn to their vision and mission. "I was blown away at the event by the type of programming they provide to young women. Their enthusiasm was something else. It was such an inspiring event."

Calen’s commitment to community support stems from a deep-seated desire to blend business with philanthropy. "I’ve always wanted to find a way to make business more philanthropic, to give back to the community meaningfully," he explains. Reflecting on his prior experience with an import business, he notes, "It didn’t fill my cup because it lacked soul."

Big Wheel Burger was founded with the dream of building a carbon-neutral fast-food restaurant. In 2017, they established a foundation to raise money for community organizations. "The impact in our community has been amazing. It’s a dream of mine to give back. We work with our staff to decide which organizations to support, and many of these are ones that our staff are closely aligned with."

Calen has a heartfelt message for fellow business leaders: "Do it from the heart, do it organically. I encourage other businesses to follow our model. It’s not only good for the business but also shows your customers who you are and what you stand for. It feels good to run a business this way."

Reflecting on the Dream It, Be It conference, Calen was struck by the openness and willingness of the women to engage with him. "What stood out was their openness and willingness to hear from a person like me, a man, coming up to talk about how great their organization is. More businesses and men, in general, need to elevate organizations like SIVW to show our support and empower women."

Calen emphasized the importance of giving women a platform to have their voices heard. "It is so important that women have their voices heard, and I tried to convey this message when I had the chance to speak at their event."

Through this blossoming relationship, Big Wheel Burger and Soroptimist International Victoria Westshore have shown how powerful it can be when businesses and community organizations unite for a common cause. Their partnership is a testament to the transformative power of community and philanthropy.