The United Way Estevan's getting everything ready to help the community share their kindness.
Their Day of Caring is slated for May 26. To keep everybody safe in the current situation, it was decided to limit projects to outdoors only, and all volunteers will have to follow existing protocols.
"We had big plans a while ago, and then with the government restrictions coming into play we've had to change our plans a little bit, but we want to hold some form of a Day of Caring this year," said Wendy Gustafson, who is on board for the initiative.
Last year, due to restrictions, they opted to send letters to residents in long-term care facilities in a campaign named Days of Caring, but this year they wanted to return to the traditional Day of Caring.
"This year, we want to get back to doing some hands-on projects. So we're going to be having some outdoor projects and small groups are going to work on them. We won't have large groups of people, but small groups will be working on outdoor projects and things like weeding a garden, planting some flowers, getting ready to plant a garden, painting a fence, washing windows outside, those kinds of outdoor things that some people cannot do (by themselves)," Gustafson explained.
Other projects may include picking up garbage, cleaning out trees or flowerbeds, cleaning or sweeping decks, getting the summer furniture out and more.
The committee came up with a way to show that they care about everyone who would like to see it. If someone doesn't need anything done, but still would like to see a little cheer, they can apply for a sunshine basket.
"We're going to offer something different in place of indoor projects. Our volunteers will deliver a basket to a house. And then what we would do is if somebody has requested a sunshine basket, or if they know someone that would benefit from a visit, what we're going to do is we will deliver the basket to that house, knock on the door, step back six feet, and when they come to get the basket we will, of course, be wearing masks, but we'll have a little visit with that person before we leave,” said Gustafson.
“We're just trying to make contact with some of the people that maybe have spent the year inside and have not really had contact with a lot of people.”
Baskets will be filled with some little items, like a coffee mug, tea, hand sanitizers, crossword or puzzle books, etc., and a hand-made card from the United Way Estevan.
"Just like you would if you were going to sign up for a project, we want you to contact us and make a reservation for either themselves or for somebody they think would be deserving of a basket, somebody that hasn't been able to get out or has been isolated a lot due to COVID," Gustafson added.
"There's a lot of people that I think would really benefit from a friendly visit and basket to brighten their day."
The Day of Caring will start at about 9 a.m. on May 26, with small groups of two or three people taking on outdoor projects, while other volunteers will be delivering sunshine baskets. It's planned that the activities will wrap up by 4 p.m.
United Way Estevan used to host a mid-day lunch for all volunteers, however, due to restrictions on gatherings the committee had to come up with another way to feed participants.
"With COVID, we're not able to do provide lunch at the church like we usually do. But this year, I have been in contact with some of the fast-food places in Estevan, and some of them are willing to make a donation. So we're going to be able to provide free food vouchers to people that are working. They can just go through the drive-thru and get a free meal at noon. We're still going to take care of the people when they come to work," Gustafson said.
"I'm so grateful to our businesses in Estevan. It's amazing; they always step up to the plate and they're always willing to help out in one way or the other."
The cut-off for all applications is May 14. This will allow the committee time to match projects with volunteers and develop a plan for the day.
"This is a little bit of a puzzle to make it all line up and make it all work out. So we try to have a cut-off date, but of course, we never say no to anyone if it's a last-minute entry. We work at the end but we want to be as organized as possible," Gustafson said.
With 2021 being very different, Gustafson expects to see many people, both regular participants and new volunteers, who will want to get out and do something.
"We have people that come every year. They have been waiting to hear what we're doing this year, and anxious to come out. I have a feeling we're going to have a lot of people turn out this year, just because it's been a tough year. And people are anxious to get out and to help others. And people are anxious to see people too, and some of these seniors have not seen a lot of people this past year. So I think it's going to be very beneficial, especially the friendly visitor project."
There is a simple registration form to be filled with details about projects or volunteer preferences. People can register for a project, basket or to volunteer at unitedwayestevan.com, through United Way Estevan board members, by calling the office at 306-634-7375, contacting Sheila Guenther at 306-421-3357 or [email protected], or just stopping by 322 Fourth Street and dropping off the application.
"We're grateful to all the people that participate, whether they're volunteering or whatever they do every year, we absolutely could not pull this off without the amazing people in this community and surrounding area. We were very grateful to them. So we're looking forward to a super good Day of Caring again this year," Gustafson said.
