Calgary’s home-building industry is a thriving community that includes numerous single-family and multi-family builders, service providers and material suppliers. While competitive in nature, they have built a successful industry together, one that is an economic engine for Alberta. Their competitive nature was recently harnessed into a Calgary home-building industry Fantasy Football League, Gridiron Giveback.
Gridiron Giveback was created by Scott Myer, Chief Operations Officer for the Integrity Group and business unit leader for Integrity Building Products and his wife Amy. “We love NFL football and we have several friends in the industry who share this passion. We wanted to create something that combined our love for football, and brought industry members together for some friendly competition, while also benefiting some deserving charitable organizations,” explained Scott.
The league is hosted by Integrity Building Products with Scott acting as the commissioner. The concept for the Gridiron Giveback Fantasy Football League is pretty simple: each team contributed an entrance fee, and the winner’s charity of choice would receive the full amount from all entrance fees. “We want to use the league as a vehicle to unite the industry and to support deserving charities. Integrity Building Products was proud to host the league,” says Scott.
“We knew that a fantasy football league, with the proceeds going to local charities, would be an amazing combination,” adds Amy. “We created the league with the primary goal of raising money, but we had a lot of fun throughout the season as the team rivalries set in.”
In its inaugural year, Gridiron Giveback filled its roster with twelve teams of builders, product suppliers, and service providers from the Calgary home-building industry. “I reached out to our network to see who would be interested in joining and we easily filled all the spots in our first year,” explains Scott.
When the dust settled and the touchdowns were tallied, it was Regal Building Materials who emerged victorious, claiming the championship title. However, the true victory lay in the $12,000 donation made on their behalf to Project Warmth. Project Warmth is a local organization dedicated to assisting the homeless and underprivileged with clothing and support.
“But we didn’t stop there,” adds Amy. “We found even more creative ways to raise money and we surprised our second-place team, Calbridge Homes, with the opportunity to make a $3,000 donation to their charity of choice, Youth Centres of Calgary.”
“It was a great season” exclaims Scott, “and we can’t wait to continue the league for many years to come.”
“We look forward to making this an annual event, expanding and inviting more members of the Calgary home-building community to join. And ultimately, raising more money for local charities,” says Amy.
The Calgary home-building industry proved its spirit extends beyond construction with the Gridiron Giveback Fantasy Football League. The league’s success demonstrates the power of collaboration within a competitive industry, leaving a lasting impact on the Calgary community.
To learn more about Gridiron Giveback and get the latest updates, follow the league on Instagram @gridirongiveback and on Substack.