The Canadian Diabetes Association wants people to help support their programs this fall, and volunteers will be going around Yorkton to seek donations for their programs.
Ellen Williams, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Canadian Diabetes Association, says that all of Yorkton can expect volunteers to knock on their door, identified by a Canadian Diabetes Association volunteer pin and a red canvassing kit.
“This is our biggest fundraiser that we do.”
The goal is to bring in $150,000 for the southern part of the province.
“The money that is raised in Saskatchewan stays in Saskatchewan, so that’s really great for us to say we can put this money back into programs and services.”
Some of the programs that the CDA does involve advocacy and education, such as the CanRisk Program, which puts on information programs so people can understand their risk of diabetes. The CDA also produces a series of webinars that help people who were recently diagnosed be able to learn how to deal with their diabetes. Williams says that the goal of the education is to make it possible for people to know how to live healthy, whether they are at risk or already diagnosed.
“We can direct people where to go, and find the resources within the community. We can pair people up with the health care professionals they need to see. Anything from a dietician, to where they can go to have their feet taken care of, to where they can go to have a doctor who specialize in diabetes.”
They are looking for donations, but they’re also looking for volunteers. Williams says that the people who want to volunteer can start with an email to [email protected]. Once they connect with the CDA, they will find a route for them to take. Each route is about 20-25 houses and Williams says would take an estimated 90 minutes. The volunteers can do it any time during the campaign period, from October 1 to 15. Zone captains within the area will distribute the kits and pick them up.
“They don’t need to worry about getting the canvassing kit, it will be delivered to them.”
Williams says that they hope volunteers will find a community willing to donate to the cause.
“We really hope that they will be willing to do so, it’s nice that we can put our money back in our community.”
