January Scoop: 5 Days Edition
Happy New Year, readers!
It’s great to see you again! The Asper Scoop is back after a short hiatus over the break. With just over three weeks into January, the winter semester has officially begun! Your blog writer, Melinda Khov, is having an awesome time experiencing the long journey of summer internship job search.
If you’re new here, I hope you enjoy reading the blog as much as I enjoyed writing it.
This month I had the honour of interviewing one of the University’s largest cross-faculty student groups, 5 Days UM. I chatted with the 5 Days Co-Chairs, Lexie D’Antonio and Henrick Papelleras, and the Director of PR, Shelly Yosef, about their upcoming week-long event in March.
Without further ado, I present the January Scoop: The 5 Days Edition
5 Days UM: A Campaign for the Homeless
5 Days is one of the most visible campaigns at the University of Manitoba, in support of Resource Assistance for Youth, also known as RaY.
Founded in 1994 and located at 125 Sherbrook Street, RaY is a non-profit organization in Winnipeg dedicated to supporting youth experiencing homelessness. They provide free and accessible resources like healthcare, housing, employment, and other basic needs, so that their youth can transition from being dependent on RaY to living independently.
Meet the 5 Days Co-Chairs, Lexie D’Antonio and Henrick Papelleras, and the Director of PR, Shelly Yosef.
In her second year of Asper, Lexie D’Antonio is pursuing a major in Actuarial Mathematics. Joining 5 Days as a Co-Chair was a way of getting involved with the community. Through her work doing social media for Spence Neighbourhood Association, she transfers her passion for helping out the community.
Henrick Papelleras is also a second year Actuarial Mathematics student, like Lexie, and the other 5 Days Co-Chair. His inspiration draws from the community as well. Having been part of the Asper First Year Committee last year as the Charity Co-Chair, he knew he wanted to continue doing something similar in his second year, to continue getting involved with the community.
“Having lived here half of my life, this city has given me so much that getting involved takes a miniscule part of my life but will make an insane amount of difference in the lives of others. It’s a no brainer for me.” Henrick Papelleras, 5 Days Co-Chair 2025-2026
As the Co-Chairs, Lexie and Henrick are responsible for external outreach and managing their committee of nine. Strategy, logistics, planning, budgeting, and being great leaders!
The Director of Public Relations, Shelly Yosef, is a first year Asper student. Born in Israel and having moved to Canada years ago, she’s found herself in a variety of volunteer positions in high school, whether that was in her high school student council or volunteering. Like Lexie and Henrick, she’s always been passionate about getting involved.
She handles public affairs and outreach, getting media outlets to spotlight 5 Days. She also manages communication between the community and the rest of the committee.
Drop By During 5 Days Week!
5 Days Week is coming up this March, a week-long campaign filled with fun and charitable events.
It’ll be 5 Days’ main campaign and biggest event of the year. If you’re on campus at least one day per week, you won’t want to miss it! It’s a great way to fill up your time between classes or to have fun, and you can bring along your friends too!
From March 16 to 20, here’s the event schedule:
- Day 1: Krispy Kreme Donut Sale. Visit the booth to buy delicious donuts for a good cause and learn about the upcoming days.
- Day 2: Mystery Event! Not much can be shared yet…
- Day 3: Paint & Plant. Participate in a fireside chat with a representative from RaY while painting pots and planting seeds!
- Day 4: 5 Days Internal. A mini market on campus where you can visit and support local vendors.
- Day 5: 5 Acts. A fun evening at The Nob with local performers, bands, and solo artists.
Each event was chosen intentionally so that each day had variety while maintaining the momentum of back to back days! Consisting of five days and five events, it’s super easy to remember.
As a committee, 5 Days wishes to make positive changes through their campaign. To inform students about 5 Days and the impact behind each of their events. To encourage students to get involved, volunteer, and support them in any way they can. To collaborate with local businesses and organizations and show students the good things Winnipeg has to offer.
And they have been doing exactly that! Last semester, 5 Days kicked off the 2025-2026 campaign with volunteer gift wrapping at CF Polo Park, which brought in a lot of volunteers. It was amazing to see so many first year students and students from faculties aside from Asper get involved.
5 Days also hosted a winter clothing drive in the beginning of December, called 5 Days of Christmas, with over 250 pieces of clothing donated. They boothed externally and on campus. This month, they had a successful textbook sale and are now wrapping up the lunch sale!
[Blockquote] “We’re looking forward to the growth of the committee and the impact on RaY at the end of the day. It’s a big accomplishment for all of us. Every single person helped support us to get us to where we’re going to finish off.” – Lexie D’Antonio, 5 Days Co-Chair 2025-2026
The 5 Days Committee is excited for their upcoming 5 Days Week and it’s been a lot of fun for the committee members. From the Co-Chair perspective, Lexie and Henrick are looking forward to seeing the growth of the committee and the impact that their campaign efforts will have on RaY at the end.
Follow 5 Days UM on Instagram to get updates once more details for 5 Days Week are out!
Recap: Commerce Cares’ Student Appreciation Week!
On the first week back to school this January, Commerce Cares held the third annual Student Appreciation Week (SAW)! If you were in the Drake Centre and passed by the Fishbowl from January 6 to 9, it would have been hard to miss.
She handles public affairs and outreach, getting media outlets to spotlight 5 Days. She also manages communication between the community and the rest of the committee.
On the first week back to school this January, Commerce Cares held the third annual Student Appreciation Week (SAW)! If you were in the Drake Centre and passed by the Fishbowl from January 6 to 9, it would have been hard to miss.
On the first week back to school this January, Commerce Cares held the third annual Student Appreciation Week (SAW)! If you were in the Drake Centre and passed by the Fishbowl from January 6 to 9, it would have been hard to miss.
Commerce Cares is a student organization dedicated to promoting the overall wellbeing of Asper students. The Commerce Cares committee enhances student life through events like regular mentorship meetings and Student Appreciation Week.
Commerce Cares is a student organization dedicated to promoting the overall wellbeing of Asper students. The Commerce Cares committee enhances student life through events like regular mentorship meetings and Student Appreciation Week.
The Commerce Cares Co-Chairs, Jack Tryon and Seb Nebre, worked hard with the rest of their committee to host it! Marketing created teaser reels, Logistics helped book booths and obtain permits, and Corporate Relations secured in-kind donations from sponsors for all four event days.
Check out the Commerce Cares Instagram here.
And here’s the end of the January Scoop!
Thank you to everyone who stayed around. To my interviewees, Lexie, Henrick, and Shelly, to the Commerce Cares Co-Chairs, Jack and Seb, and to my readers!
When March rolls around, please stop by the 5 Days Week booths and support them with your presence!
I’ll certainly be stopping by every single day. On Day 1, I’ll buy a whole dozen-piece box (or two) to share with my sister, friends, and family! Though I have never set foot in a Krispy Kreme, I have bought their original glazed donuts a handful of times on campus and have enjoyed it every time.
Anyway… stay tuned for the February edition of the Asper Scoop!
Pookie Out!