Sheila Guenther is the president of United Way of Estevan.
What's up next for the United Way in Estevan?
Well our annual telethon is coming up in October. We're looking forward to that and hoping to raise some funds for our member agencies.
What is the purpose of the Day of Caring?
The purpose of our Day of Caring is to get people involved in helping in the community where it's needed. We were very happy with the results of it. We helped quite a few different individuals and agencies and had a lot of volunteers out to do that.
Where were you helping out?
We were helping at some individuals' homes, as well as the nursing home, Diversified Services and a few other places.
How did the Day of Caring get started?
This was our fourth year. It is an initiative that many United Ways are doing across the country. It's just a way to get involved in the community and do what we can. The United Ways are getting more involved in their communities in ways other than just fundraising, and that was a way for us to get started and doing that. We do have a few other projects coming up, where we're going to be more involved, not just as a funder, but we're going to be more actively involved in areas where we feel it's needed. We're going to be making a couple of announcements in either late August or early September on some upcoming programs that we're going to be working with, and we're quite excited about it.
How does the United Way select groups/programs/institutions to get involved with?
What we do is take applications and review them and try to determine what's needed most in the community. Of course, the most important thing with the United Way is we work with agencies that provide local services, so we're right in the area.
How has the United Way been involved with Creighton Lodge?
With Creighton Lodge, they requested some funding from us when they had the changeover with ownership. They just wanted some help with some capital expenditures that were long overdue. So we've been able to help them out with that.
How is the United Way involved with Estevan Area Literacy Group?
Estevan Area Literacy Group is one of our member agencies, and they work with newcomers to the area that may not speak English very well, and they're helping them cope with a change in communications, and they do some other programs too, and we're happy to support them.
How can people get involved with the United Way Telethon?
They can get involved by volunteering. Obviously by donating. We're hoping to have more corporations and companies get their staff involved with employee campaigns because all the money we raise does stay in the area, so they can get involved those ways.
What are you looking for in regards to stage performers?
We're always looking for anybody that's interested in entertaining, so if they're interested in doing that so they can call our office. The number is 634-7375.
How has the Estevan community responded to previous telethons?
Our response in the past has been overwhelming and fantastic. We've been able to achieve our goals that we have, but we understand that this year will be a challenge with the flooding in the area. But hopefully the community will pull through, so we can help in those areas.
What is the United Way hoping for with this fall's telethon?
Our goal is $300,000. Last year our goal was $300,000 as well.
How did you get involved with United Way?
I got involved 10 years ago as treasurer. I was in that position for a few years, and since then I've become a director and now the president.
Do you enjoy your position and work with United Way?
Absolutely, it's a great group, a great board for directors. We have an executive director as well who's helping us out with day-to-day activities. We really look forward to the telethon and we're all really actively involved in helping out with our community.
Do you work with the United Way on a national level?
No, we're involved just at the local level. Of course (local United Ways) communicate with the national level and follow their policies and guidelines and incentives. We're involved in that way and we're all very much independent and involved in our communities.
