THUNDER BAY — On Friday, about 100 volunteers are striking out into the community to work on about 20 different projects.
This marks the Day of Caring’s return after not running for five years due to the pandemic.
“I am so excited because I have seen the wonderful work of the United Way for so many years contributing to our community. Because of COVID, because of the pandemic, having these events die off, it's great to bring it back, revitalize it, revitalize volunteerism, revitalize caring for our community," said Noah Siren, chair of the GenNext cabinet of the local United Way.
The event is an opportunity for local organizations to receive volunteer support for projects that make a difference in our community, hosted by the GenNext cabinet, a United Way initiative aims to get young professionals in their 20s and 30s involved in community leadership.
Day of Caring has been a passion project for the GenNext cabinet said Siren.
“It involves . . . bringing a large group of volunteers together. (It will help) nonprofits. They give so much of their hearts to the community that we think it's important to help give back to them with certain things. They're so very busy helping the community, that we can we can help them with whatever they need,” Siren said.
Siren said it's all about caring for the people around you.
“It's so important that we care for our community, for our home, the place that we live, and for any organizations that try to make this community a better place to live in, for all of us that call Thunder Bay home. If we can contribute to help those organizations, I think that's really what it's all about.”
Siren spoke to Newswatch on Tuesday at Home Hardware, where the NextGen crew were picking up supplies.
“Without our sponsors, this event would not happen or be quite nearly impossible to happen.
“With the generosity of Home Hardware, other sponsors like Vanderwees, site sponsors that we have, they (give) monetarily so that we can, number one, feed our volunteers for the work that they're about to do for the day, to get supplies and even a lot of in-kind sponsorship for food supplies, etc.,” Siren said.
Colleen Peters, director of development and client services at the John Howard Society of Thunder Bay, said she is really looking forward to the Day of Caring.
“We always participate in the Day of Caring, because it really helps us be able to complete some projects that often sit on the side of staff's desk. We don't necessarily always have the time or the power to be able to complete some vital projects that the Day of Caring does.
“This year we are going to expand our gardening program, which is really great for the residents that reside with us. We'll be expanding to four garden boxes. We'll be able to do some of our own food growth as well as growth of medicines as well.”
Petres said it’s valuable for the organization to have this kind of support.
“It means a lot. It means expansion for us. It means greater opportunity for client engagement participation and it's additional resources when it comes to food security,” she said.
Anyone interested in getting involved can visit this link.
