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United Way calling on volunteers for GenNext's Day of Caring

The United Way of Thunder is calling on all volunteers to clear their calendars for June 20 to take part in their GenNext cabinet’s fourth annual Day of Caring.
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Redwood Park Church's pastor of adult ministries (from left) and the United Way GenNext's Jessica Leinich and Keith Anderson are encouraging volunteers to sign up for their fourth annual Day of Caring slated for June 20 in Thunder Bay. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

The United Way of Thunder is calling on all volunteers to clear their calendars for June 20 to take part in their GenNext cabinet’s fourth annual Day of Caring.

The event, which drew out more than 200 people last year, encourages the public to spend the day helping non-profits complete projects around the city.

Keith Anderson, chairman of the GenNext cabinet, said it’s a chance for the public to show how much they care about their city, to roll up one’s sleeves and lend a hand.

“They give so much to the city that I think it’s important to be able to give back to them and to be able to support them in providing their programming for everyone in the community,” Anderson said.

The projects run the gamut, he added.

“They go from painting to assembling furniture to gardening and planting flowers,” Anderson said. “This year we’re also incorporating client services, in that we’ll be able to provide volunteers to the organizations to complete some of the services they provide to their constituents.”

Participation has doubled each year in the first three years the Day of Caring has been held, which is why Anderson is confident they can top the 400-mark.

“Last year we had 200 and we expect 200 on top of that. It’s a big ask and it’s a big leap, but we think over the course of the last four years that people heard about it and really want to participate and be involved,” Anderson said.

Darryl Buckle, the pastor of adult ministries Redwood Park Church, said last year his congregations leapt at the opportunity to pitch in, and will be out in full force once again next month.

It just fits in with what churches do.

“We realize that being a church in our community, it really is an obligation not just to serve people’s spiritual needs, but whatever needs they have in very practical ways,” Buckle said.

“We do different things as church with that sort of thing in mind. We have a food bank, but nobody touches as broad an area of need as the United Way. So we thought how can we do a better job and learn more about other organizations?”

Volunteer registration is open until June 1 at www.uwaytbay.ca. Those interested can also email doc@uwaytbay.ca for more information.

 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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