In the News
June 14, 2013 –
United Way Caring Day Attracts 180 Volunteers
Volunteers are an important resource for many non-profit agencies in the Kingston-area. And today, dozens of employees volunteered their time to grab paint cans, squeegees, scrub pads and work gloves for the annual “Day of Caring”. As Newswatch’s Jamie Patterson reports, they fixed up the workplaces of non-profit agencies, who don’t have the time or money to do it themselves.
Over 20 organisations received some tender loving care as the community came together for the annual United way day of caring.
“There are 180 volunteers today from 27 various work places in 24 agencies throughout Kingston and Lennox which is down in Napanee.”
Finny has been volunteering at the event for 13 years . She says the annual effort is crucial for the operation of local organizations.
“A lot of these agencies do not have the support financially to have someone come in and do these repairs for them.”
For not-for-profit agencies like the Canadian Hearing society, the volunteer work is a tremendous help.
“We have people here today that are keeping our office up and functional. Painting, doing upholstery cleaning, cleaning windows, all kinds of tasks, all things that really need to be done.”
But not all the work was done inside. Volunteers from Du Pont took part in the revitalization and summer preparation of community centres and gardens.
“It’s a way for us to represent our company and our community and try to do valuable work for the community to enjoy.”
“Volunteers are turning up sod in order to expand the Oakstreet Community Garden. But the Gardens are not only used for community purposes but they are also used for educational purposes.”
“We also have programs like LCVI and QECVI’S cooking programs, and the cooks have come here and grown their chilli garden here for the last two years.”
And vegetables grown in this garden are used by loving spoonful, a local organization, which donates crops to local shelters and food drives. Volunteers not only spent valuable time with fellow employees but also got an inside look at local agencies in the community while lending a helping hand. Jamie Patterson, CKWS Newswatch, Kingston.
Visit the CKWS website to view the footage for this story.
Source: CKWS News
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