Estevan area businesses, groups and individuals showed how much they care about others during the United Way Estevan’s Day of Caring on May 26.
A total of 22 projects were completed by more than 120 volunteers during the annual initiative. Committee member Shelly Veroba said the number of projects completed was down from previous years, but that was to be expected, because outdoor projects were the only ones completed.
Veroba noted several businesses and non-profits in the community allowed their employees to spend the day assisting with projects.
She believes it was important to have a Day of Caring this year. Last year’s event had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have a lot of seniors in the community who need help throughout the year,” said Veroba. “The United Way Estevan does this Day of Caring every year in May … but we would like to see the community carry it forward throughout the year.
“If you see a neighbour in your area, or you see someone that you think needs some help, just reach out to your neighbour and give them some help. It’s just amazing how even mowing someone’s lawn, picking up some leaves, doing a bit of raking for a senior or for someone who’s not able to do that themselves, can help make their day that much better throughout the year.”
Some of the sites in the community were not cleaned up last year due to the lack of a Day of Caring, which meant extra leaves and branches had to be cleaned up.
A few of the projects, particularly those that involved painting, had to be called off as well, but that was due to weather conditions in the Estevan area prior to the Day of Caring.
The United Way had a couple of new concepts for this year. The first was encouraging people to perform random acts of kindness.
“The concept behind that was when a volunteer was done, if we didn’t have a project for them, they could look around and see if there was somebody else, a neighbour or a community person that they knew of, or somebody who they could reach out to and give them a hand.”
Also new for this year were 15 Sunshine Baskets, which were filled by board members and delivered to people who lived alone. Some were on the project list for the Day of Caring, while others just needed an emotional lift.
“That was an idea that was developed by the board of the Estevan Day of Caring committee, and it was a really nice idea. The concept was well-received,” said Veroba.
Sunshine Baskets included a variety of gifts and handmade cards completed by United Way first vice-president Becca Anderson.
The people and organizations who had a project completed were very appreciative, not only because they had work to be done, but they received social interaction.
“People are ready to see people. People need to have their neighbours interacting with each other, and that’s what the Day of Caring is, is people giving back to their neighbours.”
All of the public health measures were followed during the Day of Caring, she said.
The traditional barbecue lunch could not be served at the Estevan Alliance Church, but the United Way found an alternative by providing volunteers with a meal voucher to one of four restaurants: McDonald’s, A&W, Dairy Queen or KFC.
“We really appreciate that kind of support from the restaurants in Estevan, and we just are overwhelmed by how many businesses reach out to support us,” said Veroba.
Together, it was a great Day of Caring, and Veroba looks forward to seeing the initiative return to normal next year.
