Day of Caring a Clean Sweep for Gilbert Park
May 28, 2008 | Community News | Archive 2008
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United Way volunteers team up with community members in the city's north-west to make a lasting impact.
A team from the newly created GenNext Council worked hand in hand with residents of Gilbert Park, completing the neighbourhood's annual spring clean up as part of a United Way Day of Caring.
"We're on the ground floor of a really exciting initiative which will have a lasting impact in our community," says Colin Ryan, GenNext Council chair.
The council works to build awareness among peers about community issues, inspire involvement and invest time, skills, money and energy in the community. This was the first large-scale event for the GenNexters.
"They wanted a hands-on group project within the community," says Barb Brown, Day of Caring Manager. "The residents of Gilbert Park have been doing an annual clean up for years, so it was a perfect partnership."
Cheryl Starr has volunteered with the clean up for three years. Working alongside Corey Mohr of Nor'West Co-op Community Health Centre, the pair take a lead role in its organization and coordination and welcomed the extra person power.
"It was such a relief to have some extra hands and heads involved, working on the partnerships, getting donations and coordinating everything," says Mohr, a community facilitator. "They brought many new ideas and extra resources. It was like a super enhanced community clean-up."
Lisa Blackburn, competitive swimmer and 2008 Beijing Olympic hopeful is the latest GenNext recruit. The Waterloo native has come to Winnipeg to train and sees the United Way group as a great way to connect to her new community.
"It's an opportunity to meet people, promote Olympic values and give back for the opportunities I've had. When people work together like this, it makes such a big difference. Everybody feels like part of something bigger," she says.
Residents and volunteers mingled while they shared a BBQ lunch and enjoyed activities and entertainment by local performers.
"Working with the volunteers from United Way was a great benefit," says Starr. "I hope we can continue the partnership."
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