United Way Estevan is once again hosting a day truly meant for a community of caring.
The Day of Caring is an annual event, now in its sixth year, which encourages volunteerism and proud community spirit to come together and get things done.
Today across the city more than 135 volunteers are giving up their time to help someone else in the city get a project finished, help deliver meals or clean up their properties.
There are about 32 projects citywide, with volunteers splitting shifts between the morning and afternoon. Most projects take about half a day, but those that take more time will get a new crew in the afternoon to finish the job.
It may be last minute, but if you're looking to contribute, it's not too late. United Way Estevan is once again hosting a barbecue from noon to 1 p.m. at the Alliance Church, free to all volunteers, and open to the public with donations encouraged. You can stop by there, get some food and then get registered to help out with a project somewhere in the afternoon.
Lori Buchanan, United Way Estevan executive director, noted all donations at lunch will go to support their member agencies.
She noted many of the projects are at individual homes, typically helping seniors who may have trouble completing the work themselves.
"The idea of the Day of Caring is to give a hand to someone who has a job that needs doing and they wouldn't otherwise be able to do them on their own, so they need a hand," said Buchanan.
It's the spirit of lending a helping hand that carries on from year to year, even though some of the faces extending those hands change.
"It's just a great opportunity for Estevan to get involved and lend a hand to neighbours. It's a great opportunity to get out and meet people," she said, adding that those unable to take time this year should keep it marked in their calendars for 2014.
The projects this year will take volunteers to Creighton Lodge, Estevan Regional Nursing Home, St. Joseph's long-term care home and Hill View Manor. Other projects will be completed at the Estevan Day Care and Estevan Bible Camp.
Volunteers will be sending meals out around the community through the Meals on Wheels program.
Students in the Energy City will also be getting into the excitement with projects around their schools. Students at Sacred Heart/Sacré Coeur School will be heading to St. John the Baptist Church and Centre to do some housekeeping and other small jobs around the grounds.
Some students at Estevan Comprehensive School will be serving lunch to Smile Services clients. Pleasantdale students will be cleaning up their schoolyard this afternoon.
Again this year, Buchanan said the business support they received has been great. She noted some businesses are sending out crews of people to complete jobs.
"We're very grateful to see the support from some of the businesses in town for donating things toward our barbecue as well," said Buchanan, noting Regens Disposal will be around to help with the garbage loading.
She also noted they have received warm support from the City of Estevan, and she looks forward to seeing Mayor Roy Ludwig at one of the sites.
