Day of Caring
United Way of Saskatoon & Area and Volunteer Saskatoon are organizing a Day of Caring® event in 2010. This event will mobilize various local organizations who will volunteer their time or employees' time to complete meaningful, hands-on projects throughout our community, including your agency.
By participating in a United Way Day of Caring® your agency will receive assistance in completing a project that might not otherwise get done, while providing an opportunity to demonstrate the impact of volunteers in our community, and allow donors to see first-hand the services provided by United Way and your agency.
Projects that are suitable are those that can be completed in one day and could include such things as painting and clean up, yard work and landscaping or delivering groceries to isolated seniors. Refer to "What Makes a Good Project" to assist you in developing your proposal. The attached information outlines some common elements that will make your project appealing to volunteer groups from local businesses and organizations.
For more information, please contact Lily Olson, Coordinator Labour Program & Services (975-3478) or Christine Epp, Coordinator Volunteer Saskatoon (975-3477).
Day of Caring - Volunteer, Get Involved!
Day of Caring®: A special way for businesses, organizations and their employees to spend a day working directly with the agencies and programs that help people in Saskatoon ...
Imagine: An opportunity for the people of your organization to come together as a group, to make a real difference in your community.
Imagine: People in your organization working side-by-side - painting, cleaning, sawing, entertaining - and having fun doing something completely different for a day.
Imagine: Moving beyond making your corporate donation or organizing an employee campaign and into a direct role as a community builder - simply by setting aside a day to be involved in something that's tangible.
That's what Day of Caring® is all about. It's about community building made real. It's an opportunity to see the programs and agencies your organization and your people support come to life. It's a special chance to interact with the staff and the volunteers who deliver services to your community.
Here's How it Works
- Local community agencies and programs identify project needs to United Way;
- Organizations identify their interest in participating in Day of Caring to their local United Way, which links organizations and projects together and manages the process;
- Your team spends a day working "on-site" on the project.
Types of Projects
- Construction: Install an accessibility ramp, build a deck or patio, work on interior or exterior framing, dry walling, painting;
- Restoration: Paint a fence, rebuild a playground, clean up a neglected park, day care, or seniors' centre;
- Community/Agency special events: singing, putting on a show for a senior's resident; hosting a picnic, or other event for a community agency;
- Doing agency work: Delivering meals, helping at a food bank or a soup kitchen, participating in youth, disabled, or seniors programs.
... and at the "End of the Day":
Day of Caring® can bring your team together in new ways as everyone pitches in on a project that's very different from your normal workday. It also can generate public visibility for your organization through the media opportunities your presence in the community creates.
Finally, Day of Caring® brings everyone closer to community initiatives in a very real way, and lets everyone see their donation "in action".
Ask your United Way about Day of Caring® today!
Coming Soon ! The 2009 Day of Caring
Please contact Lily Olson, Coordinator Labour Program & Services (975-3478) or Christine Epp, Coordinator - Volunteer Saskatoon (975-3477).
What Makes a Good DAY OF CARING Project?
A good project should:
- Have all details researched before selection
- Allow you to showcase your agency and your role in the community
- Educate participants about the issues facing members of the community, and in particular those to whom your organization provides services
- Make a meaningful difference for the organization and especially for its clients
- Where possible, allow for interaction between volunteers and organization staff and clients
- BE FUN!
Businesses are looking for projects that:
- Provide opportunities for team building
- Allow their team to work as one large group
- Are aligned with the businesses' community investment strategies
- Provide a boost to staff morale
- Provide visibility for their business
Popular projects usually are:
- Fun
- Involve some work outside
- Low to no cost; inexpensive
- Something that is a little different from employees' everyday activities
- Can be completed in one day (4 - 5 hours)
- Provide meaningful volunteer experience
A good project application should:
- Have a catchy and/or entertaining title and description
- Clear project descriptions so teams can automatically see themselves doing the work
- Let the teams know their efforts will make a difference
- Provide an ACCURATE budget for the project
