The United Way Estevan is looking for projects that can be completed during the upcoming Day of Caring.
The eighth annual event will happen on June 8 at locations throughout the community. Local United Way president Christa Morhart said the committee has held meetings. They have reached out to the people who volunteered last year, and those who might benefit from a Day of Caring project.
The United Way’s member agencies are among those that have benefitted from Day of Caring projects in the past, but volunteers have also worked on projects at residences.
Projects that would fit for the Day of Caring could include gardening, tackling yard work, planting trees, sweeping driveways and sidewalks, washing windows and removing debris from yards.
“We have to keep in mind that they have to be done within a few hours, and with everyday materials such as a rake, a shovel or a squeegee,” said Morhart.
A few projects have already been submitted.
She noted the Day of Caring began as a small event a few years ago with just a couple of projects, but it has enjoyed considerable growth. Last year was one of the best.
“Last year, there was well over 100 volunteers and 30 projects,” she said.
Some companies have allowed their employees to help out at the Day of Caring, and that accounts for a significant number of volunteers.
“Even if they only want to send them for a morning shift or an afternoon shift, (we would encourage it),” said Morhart. “The morning shift is about four hours, and the afternoon shift is about the same.”
She would also like to see the schools involved this year. Schools can phone in with their project information, and Morhart noted a school project doesn’t have to happen on June 8. If they want to do it on a better day, and say that it was part of the Day of Caring, then that would be acceptable.
United Way board members and other volunteers from the community will also help out during the day.
A barbecue lunch will be served at the Estevan Alliance Church, starting at 11:45 a.m. Admission to the barbecue will be by a donation.
There isn’t a deadline to submit a project, but Morhart would like to have all the applications in by June 3. The committee will then have time to assign the projects to volunteers.
