Preliminary plans for the United Way's fifth annual Day of Caring are taking shape in preparation for the one-day event on May 30.
For the first time, the United Way will have students directly involved in the volunteer-driven initiative that's all about individuals helping out in the community as part of a single, focused team.
"We're getting the schools on board this year, and they're coming up with all kinds of ingenious projects," said Roberta DeRosier, the United Way's incoming president.
After contacting principals, each individual school will discuss with its teachers what plans they want to make for the day.
The Day of Caring follows a simple plan for getting important work done in the community. The projects typically include construction, restoration, community events and agency work like delivering meals.
DeRosier said that some schools already have some ideas, noting that the students at St. Mary's will attend an event at Sacred Heart/Sacre Coeur School, so the students will walk over with garbage bags picking up garbage along the way.
DeRosier wanted to stress that this isn't just a day to volunteer for the local United Way, it's a day to do some good in the community.
"What we gear towards is that it's the perfect day for anybody to do something. It doesn't have to be part of a project. Go to your neighbour's, go to your senior centre and go visit somebody. Take somebody for groceries. It doesn't have to be part of an organized project. It's just a special day to build community and lend that hand."
Lori Buchanan, executive director for the local United Way, said that projects are registered with them, so if someone does do their own project, they can register it with United Way online, which is something that couldn't be done last year.
"It's just to show what Estevan's doing. If they take the lady down the street for groceries, then they can post it on there. It's showing how much Estevan put into this," said DeRosier.
She's been involved with the Day of Caring initiative since its inception, and said it's grown each year. She said they have built their volunteer numbers up each year because so many people come back time and time again.
"Definitely each year it has grown so we're excited to see what it's going to do this year."
The United Way's member agencies typically have projects for volunteers to do each year. There are always things that need to get done at Creighton Lodge or the Estevan Regional Nursing Home.
"It's anything that somebody feels they need a hand with that is a job that might not get done otherwise," said Buchanan. "If it's a project that requires a little bit of assistance and might otherwise go undone, that's what we want to encourage."
Some sites last year had as many as 16 to 20 volunteers at one time. Many projects are smaller, however. Volunteers give half of their day, either the morning or the afternoon for the Day of Caring, and most projects are finished in that time.
Though no specifics have been ironed out regarding the projects, DeRosier said they will need lots of volunteers again this year. She added that all volunteers find the day very rewarding.
"The enthusiasm from the volunteers (is incredible). They all say that they get way more out of it than the people getting stuff done for them. It's so cool.
"They'll never experience anything like it to be a part of something so big. That's what I've picked up from some of our volunteers. They're just ecstatic. Even though it's a small project, they're part of something big and it's making a difference."
"A lot of people are really overwhelmed with a lot of responsibility throughout the year, but this is such a community-building experience that for those who are wanting to do some volunteerism, it's an awesome opportunity to make that difference," said Buchanan.
A community barbecue will be hosted this year as well, instead of one just for the volunteers. people will be able to drop in for lunch at the Alliance Church, and donations to the United Way are encouraged. It was opened up to the public because some people were not able to volunteer, so Buchanan said that is a way they can contribute to the Day of Caring too.
United Way of Estevan encourages everyone who has an idea for a project to contact them, either through their website at www.unitedwayofestevan.com or by calling 634-7375.
