It’s no secret that the current economy is tough on regional businesses, but it’s even tougher on local non-profit agencies struggling with budget shortfalls and increasing demands for services. That’s why the United Way of Central Alberta is seeking dedicated individuals and corporate teams to participate in the Day of Caring™ program.

What is a Day of Caring™?
United Way Day of Caring™ is an agency-focused event that connects volunteers to local non-profit organizations, and promotes volunteerism through community service. These agencies receive much-needed assistance, which in turn allows them to focus their resources on those they serve.

United Way Day of Caring™ has become a well-loved and much-anticipated part of the campaign season. Many companies and agencies are hard-pressed to keep up with the demand for goods, services and labour. But it is in times such as these, that leadership makes a difference, and companies and employees can truly make a difference by volunteering their time as well as their financial resources. For every hour that a person volunteers, and every project they help complete, translates into dollars that an agency can shift from its operating budget to client services.

If you’ve ever experienced a Day of Caring™, you know exactly why most companies plan one each and every year. Every volunteer walks away having learned something about themselves, their communities and the spirit of caring that is within each of us.

Why Organize a Day of Caring™ Project?

• Employees benefit from seeing first-hand what agencies do for the community
• Employees come away with increased morale by supporting community projects
• Agencies need your skill and experience to help them sustain their operations

Ideas for Day of Caring™ Projects
Projects can be as big or as simple as you want. Here are just a few ideas to consider for your company’s Day of Caring™.

Professional / Staff Development

• Safety training / risk management practices
• Team building
• Financial management
• Time / stress management

Labour projects

• landscaping / gardening, Planting gardens, pruning or removing dead brush
• building handicapped accessible ramps,
• constructing a shelving unit,
• fixing computers
• Painting buildings and fences
• Picking up litter from around the community
• Painting over graffiti drawings
• Undertaking handyman jobs for a new facility/agency
• Painting a room/building/structure/furniture
• Moving offices/furniture within a facility
• Repairing or building simple furniture items
• Repairing equipment/furniture from the company’s warehouse, and donating the items
• Building a new playhouse or playground structure
• Helping with a general project
• General Maintenance items

Social projects

• Delivering meals/groceries to the elderly or in-bound
• Reading to a child
• In-school mentoring (math, reading, etc.)
• Enjoying a picnic or playing a game with seniors

To discuss how you can get involved, call (403) 343-3900 and speak to a Resource Development staff member.