Downtown Winnipeg was alive with students and school buses yesterday, with WE Day going on at Bell MTS Place.

Thousands of students from more than 400 schools across the province were taking in the celebration.

Tickets for the massive event could not be purchased. Instead, in order to attend, students had to take action in one local and one global cause.

Avery Groeneveld, a grade 11 student at Fort Richmond Collegiate, for example, partnered with the Children's Hospital Foundation and participated in their book sales, as well as volunteered her time to be a mascot at the Teddy Bear's picnic. Michelle Ruston, a grade 11 student at Glenboro School, has raised funds for her community through two silent auctions; she also challenged her community to donate to the Health Action Committee, resulting in more than $12,700 raised, and helping secure a doctor for Glenboro.

Kristin Lutzer is a teacher at Winnipeg's Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institue (MBCI) and attended with a group of her students. She says that the day made an impact on her students. "Our students came back totally inspired and encouraged to continue service learning."

Lutzer said that it was a perfect fit for MBCI students. "At MBCI, service learning and volunteerism is really encouraged both individually and as a classroom. It was a really good reminder for our students just to remember to show God's love, have a servant's heart, and get involved and serve others."

Speakers and performers at today's event included George Takei, Tyler Shaw, Alexandre Trudeau, the Kenyan Boys Choir, and more.