The United Way Estevan is looking to help people in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 has forced the United Way to cancel its popular Day of Caring, in which people would volunteer at projects throughout the community; many of these tasks wouldn’t be completed otherwise.
So the United Way board has instead initiated the Days of Caring – a letter-writing campaign that will support seniors in the community. Letters would be sent to the Estevan Regional Nursing Home, St. Joseph’s Hospital’s long-term care, Creighton Lodge and Hillview Manor.
Those four buildings have more than 160 residents combined.
“We know that the seniors are not getting out and about, so it can be a very lonely time for them, and they feel very isolated,” said United Way Estevan board member Wendy Gustafson, who has been a chairperson for the Day of Caring in previous years.
The United Way board is asking children and adults to write a letter, make a card, draw a picture or create something else that could be sent to local seniors’ homes.
“That will be a kind of a picker-upper for these people who are not getting to get out and socialize like they would like to,” said Gustafson.
The letters and cards might include a brief poem or a note to someone to encourage them. Or there might be a picture of somebody outside enjoying the sunshine.
“Kids can be very creative, and I think we just have to open it up to the kids and encourage them to express themselves and to maybe do something that would make somebody feel good, cheer up their day,” said Gustafson.
Gustafson would like to know at the end of the Days of Caring how many cards and letters were sent. She would like to see each resident at the four buildings receive something from a member of the public.
“To me, that would really, really make their day,” said Gustafson.
People will likely be asked to send something to the building itself, indicating it is through the Days of Caring on the envelope, and then the staff would be asked to deliver it to a resident. But Gustafson said the process still requires some fine-tuning.
The United Way has also looked at helping out with Meals on Wheels delivery through the Estevan Area Home Care, and they’re asking people to remember shut-ins at this time, by encouraging phone calls, especially for those who don’t have the family support in the area.
“We’re encouraging people to take the time to make a phone call to someone, check if there’s something they need,” said Gustafson. “Maybe they need you to run and pick up a few groceries for them, and drop them off on their door. Or maybe they need their medication picked up.”
The United Way wants to create a caring environment, so they aren’t just focusing on one day a year. They want to have that support every day.
“We have no idea how long this is going to go on. But we thought that as the United Way, this was definitely a time where we could step up, shine and do our part.”
