Saskabilities Awareness Week will be celebrated September 1 to 7
A celebration of the dedication of the client volunteers from Saskabilities will be one of the focus areas for Saskabilities Awareness Week which will be held from September 1 to 7 in Swift Current.
Swift Current City Council proclaimed the week at their August 16 meeting, with a delegation from Saskabilities taking the opportunity to highlight the extensive volunteer work their clients have provided throughout the community.
So far this year, Saskabilities has supported a total of 46 individual participant volunteers who have logged over 1,500 hours of volunteer time at 16 major events and for over 20 local and regional organizations.
Dillon Currie, who has worked as a Community Connector for Saskabilities since January, highlighted the impressive accomplishments of their Volunteers in The Community Program over this year.
“It’s basically a mutually beneficial exchange where people that we support with Saskabilities are able to get involved with community events. And in turn those organizations are introduced to enthusiastic, passionate volunteers who help to enrich their programs and events.”
Saskabilities also shared a brief video with council to highlight some of their endeavours from this year.
“We’ve had no shortage of opportunities for volunteering,” Currie admitted.
Their volunteer efforts have been lent to Hockey Day in Canada, Shakespeare in the Park, Windscape Kite Festival, Swift Current Drag Racing Association, the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games, Innovation Credit Union Picnic in the Park, the Kyle Rodeo, Swift Current 57s games, the Blenders Concert Series, and more.
“My role as a Connector is to identify and connect people living with disabilities with opportunities that showcase their talents, meet their interests, and just provide them with an opportunity for connection within the community.”
Kimi Duzan, Regional Director of the Swift Current Saskabilities branch, noted that the community’s support has been instrumental in developing inclusive, ongoing relationships with clients.
“The team with Saskabilities is honoured to connect people experiencing disability with opportunities; kids, youth and adults who contribute to their community alongside others through volunteerism,” Duzan stated in a press release. “Many hands make light work… when all hands are welcome!”
Saskabilities is the featured partner at Saturday’s Market Square, and their first official event is a flag raising ceremony at City Hall on Tuesday morning. The highlight of the week will be an Awareness Week BBQ on Thursday, September 5 at Market Square from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The week wraps up with Saskabilities volunteering at Taking It To The Streets on September 7.