100 Service Projects for 100 Years

Service Projects for 100 Years
2010 marked the 100th anniversary for Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada. While many things have changed in 100 years, our basic values still form the foundation of our organization. Service to others is an integral aspect of Guiding in Canada. We've been providing service in many ways throughout the province for 100 years and we want to celebrate those contributions! All groups in the province (Units, Districts, Areas, etc.) were asked to give service and provide information about that service to be posted on this website. Our challenge to our Members was to submit at least 100 service projects throughout the 2010 year, from September 2009 to December 2010 so that we could post them and inspire others to get involved. The following projects are just a sample of the many services provided by Girl Guides of Canada throughout Saskatchewan
#	Date	Name	Project	Photo
22.	December, 2010	McLurg Sparks No. 8, Regina Area Girl Guides	The girls have been taking part in this project for the past 3 years. The girls bring old towels, blankets, stuffed toys, etc. for the animals at the Regina Humane Society as a Christmas Project. This year there were a few new items given. The girls enjoy bringing the items, decorating the boxes by cutting out old Christmas Cards and pictures of dogs and cats which they glue on. The Regina Humane Society always sends a letter of thanks to the unit in January stating how much the animals enjoy their Christmas package from us.
21.	December 17, 2010	1st Fort Qu’Appelle Brownie Unit (Submitted by Sue Boxall)	The local Outreach Centre has recently re-opened in a new facility and they were able to hold their annual Christmas Dinner, for those less fortunate in this area, at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall on December 17, 2010. The Brownie unit in Fort Qu’Appelle decided that they would make centerpieces for each of the tables. On December 10th Roxane Scott, our very ‘crafty’ Brownie Guider, set out the bases and all the gathered decorative supplies.	We discussed the reason why some people are not able to get a special Christmas meal and how we could make this year’s meal extra special for the people attending. The girls worked in pairs and designed some very attractive decorations which were then glued and packed ready for taking to the centre. The volunteers at the Outreach Centre were so impressed with the decorations that they decided to save them for next year’s meal!
20.	December 13, 2010	North by Northwest District Sparks #40	The girls decorated 10 dozen cookies to be donated to Souls Harbour Mission to provide a special treat during the holiday season.
19.	December, 2010	Ft. Qu'Appelle units	How can Guiders combine program and badge work, a bridging activity, service projects AND make sure the girls are having fun? Fort Qu’Appelle’s Brown Owl (Roxane Scott) did it with her innovative plans and her love of animals. Many people are not aware of the benefits, along with the problems, associated with feral cat populations in large towns and cities. People for Animals Regina had been caring for feral cat colonies, running a neutering program and gathering a number of volunteers who foster unwanted animals, for many years now. (http://pfasask.blogspot.com/) Brown Owl’s plan was to combine parts of the Key to I Can section of the Brownie program (Sewing Magic, Be a Chef Badge & Pet Pals Badge) with a service project and include the Sparks and Guides. In the process everyone had fun! At the first Brownie meeting in November, Brown Owl had cut out small squares of plastic canvas and the Brownies were able to do part of the Sewing Magic section of the Key to I Can. They “embroidered” the squares with different coloured wool. Later, Brown Owl put them together to form animal toys with a string attached.	Later in November we gave all the girls in Guides, Brownies and Sparks, an outline drawing of a cat printed on a sheet of card stock. They were all to decorate their cat by sticking on coins of any value they liked. We collected them up when they were returned. The evening of November 25th was lots of fun as everyone got very messy! It was the evening we all made batches of animal treats. Each table had a few Guides helping out the Brownies and Sparks as they combined the ingredients in large bowls then rolled and cut them out before baking. The following week we were pleased to have two volunteers from People for Animals at the joint meeting and they brought along a PowerPoint presentation about the work they do in Regina. We all loved seeing the photos of the kittens that had been fostered out before going to their “forever homes” and the girls were really interested to see where the feral cat colonies lived and the kind of shelters that had been built for them. They learned that the money they had stuck onto their cat pictures would be used to buy more heated water bowls for the colonies. After hearing about all the work that People for Animals does, Brown Owl brought out all the gifts we had for the volunteers. They were thrilled with the baked treats, the animal toys and the money covered pictures. The girls were happy to know that their efforts were worth while.
18.	Oct. 1-2, 2010	2010 Provincial Trefoil Gathering in Moose Jaw There were 43 Guild Members in attendance from Saskatoon, Regina, Davidson and Prince Albert.	Moose Jaw Guild Members are very aware that the beautiful little Burrowing Owls, some of which nest in the Moose Jaw area, have been on the “Endangered Species” list for some time and the Guild members felt strongly that all Saskatchewan residents should also be made aware that Saskatchewan is very close to losing these birds forever! Thus, the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre was designated as the 2010 Gathering’s “Service Project”. To bring the species to the close attention of the delegates, Lori Johnson, Executive Director/Trainer, Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre in Moose Jaw was invited to the Gathering to make a presentation on Burrowing Owls. She brought “Trooper” with her, who is a hand-raised, imprinted Burrowing Owl. Those in attendance were able to have him perch on their hands or stroke him. Three-year old Trooper is a real character; he attends many of the school visits with Lori or other handlers. He also enjoys seeing the tourists who visit the Interpretive Centre. He received special recognition when he was formally inducted into the Saskatchewan Dragoons Army Reserve Unit as their mascot in December 2005.	If you look closely at the accompanying photograph you will notice that he is tethered to his handler with a small rope. He decided that he did NOT want to be “tied up” and proceeded to pick each knot open with his beak under the watchful eye of Lori. Donation jars set up during the Gathering collected $118.05 to go toward the education programs and initiatives needed to help preserve this species in the Province of Saskatchewan. To learn more about the Burrowing Owls you can visit the Website at www.sboic.ca.
17.	Sept 30, 2010	1st Red Wing Trex (Evergreen District, Taiga Area)	The girls put together 60 activity packs for the Victoria Union Hospital. These packs include crayons, a pencil and a selection of coloring and activity pages for children to do while they are waiting for treatments or in the emergency room.
16.	May 30, 2010	3rd Pathfinder Unit, Saskatoon	The girls provided a water station for the Saskatchewan Marathon. The theme was Christmas in Hawaii, They handed out water and gubru to the runners as they passed by. They also cheered them on and played Christmas carols. After the race they cleaned up the area of all garbage.
15.	March 9, 2010	Regina Pathfinders #28	The Pathfinders went to Elmview Extendacare for a dance with the residents. A three piece band provided a variety of old-time music. The Pathfinders “danced” with residents in wheelchairs and with walkers. The girls also learned some dances from the residents and Guiders. The bird dance and the bunny-hop really spiced things up! Following the dance the Pathfinders helped set the tables and chairs back in place. The staff provided us with lovely chocolate cupcakes and juice.
14.	Ongoing	R and R Trefoil Guild	Making a shut-in’s day more enjoyable, or a special occasion “SPECIAL” is one of the reasons the Regina R & R Guild continues to make Meals on Wheels tray favors for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Hallowe’en, and Christmas. For the past several years, Guild members get together and make 100 or smaller tray items, pack them into a zip-lock bag with a package of tea or hot chocolate, and a label identifying the R & R Guild. They are then ready to send off to the Meals on Wheels coordinator to distribute with each meal that goes out on that occasion. We have been told of one elderly gentleman who, upon a visit from his health care worker, opened a drawer and withdrew his “stash” of gifts and proceeded to line them all up on the table for her to admire. He had saved every one!	One of our Guild members, Josie Saxby, is the inspiration behind the service project, and also of the ingenious small gifts. This is a project we hope to be able to continue for a long time to come as it reaches so many people.
13.	January 16-17, 2010	Blue Vista Area	An Area sleepover was held in the Kindersley Mall to celebrate 100 years of Girl Guiding in Canada, with all age groups sleeping in tents in the mall. Each girl brought a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank as part of the Global Action Theme to eliminate hunger and poverty.
12.	Dec. 3/10th, 2009	10th Red Wing Guides, Evergreen District Taiga Area (Brenda Lee, leader)	Instead of a unit gift exchange, girls chose to bring HUGS (Hats, Underwear, Gloves, Socks) for Children's Haven. Girls included a handmade card in each package. We dropped off the large gift bag full of HUGS and learned about their services. Children's Haven provides emergency and respite care for children up to age 12.
11.	December 9, 2009	1st Unity Guiding Unit, Blue Vista Area Carey Watt (Unity Guiding Unit Leader)	The Unity Guiding Unit spent a meeting mixing, baking and decorating shortbread cookies. These cookies were delivered to the Meals on Wheels program in the Town of Unity and were handed out to help spread Christmas cheer. The unit has several members who regularly volunteer with Meals on Wheels and were able to deliver their creations in person! The unit really enjoyed making the cookies.They even got to eat a couple!
10.	December 9th, 2009	28th Girl Guides Unit Saskatoon (Leader: Jackie Peacock)	For the Eamer Court Seniors Residence Christmas Party, the Guides each made a Christmas Card to bring for the seniors. One member, Emily Peacock, did an Irish jig in full Irish Dance Costume, and the unit sang "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" for the seniors. After all the entertainment the guides served coffee, tea, punch and dainties to the seniors and guests before we wished them all a Merry Christmas.
9.	December 2, 2009	Luseland Girl Guides (Sparks, Brownies, Guides, and Pathfinders)	Carolling at Buena Vista Nursing Wing of the Kerrobert Integrated Health Facility We do this every year to bring Christmas Cheer to the residents who are unable to travel to family. The girls start with some Girl Guide songs, then sing Christmas Carols to the residents. We then go over the the hospital and sing to the patients there. The girls love to sing!
8.	November 28th, 2009	1st Warman Unit, District: Northern Points, Area:Saskatoon (Leaders: Janet Giesbrecht, Kristi Dennison and Hollie Logue)	1st Warman Sparks helped the Town of Warman prepare for their annual Warman Winterfest. They had fun helping the Town Program Coordinator make 200 loot bags for all of the children that came to Winterfest. They used stickers, pencils, erasers, candies and Christmas oranges. Their highlight was being able to hand them out with Santa in the afternoon!! The Sparks even had their picture taken with Santa and it was put in our local paper the Clarks Crossing Gazette.
7.	Nov. 25, 2009	Luseland Girl Guides (Sparks, Brownies, Guides, and Pathfinders)	Making Tray Favors for the residents of the Kerrobert Integrated Health Facility The girls get together a few times a year to make tray favors for the hospital residents. It brings a little cheer to their meal trays during the holidays. This is a picture of the Christmas tray favors the girls made!
6.	Nov. 21, 2009	1st Warman Unit, Northern Points District, Saskatoon Area	The Brownie unit and a Spark helped out at the Annual Warman Christmas Craft and Bake Sale. The girls sold tickets for the mini Festival of Trees and cleaned up the lunch tables.They had a really good time.The girls were even disappointed if there were no tables to clean, because people were cleaning up after themselves!! We received many comments about how great it is to see the Girl Guides out in the community. Janet Giesbrecht Warman DC
5.	November, 2009	Regina Area Girl Guides (Sherry Thompson & Risa Erickson, leaders)	Osteoporosis Bone China Tea - Guide Katie, Pathfinders Catherine and Alexis who volunteered to put together gift bags for guests attending the tea. Alice"all dressed-up" for the tea and to sell raffle tickets.
4.	Oct. 17, 2009	Western Region Trainers Conference	The WRTC was held in Regina. Over $500 worth of food items (150 kg) were collected for the Food Bank in recognition of World Hunger Day and the Global Action Theme "Eradicate exreme poverty and hunger."
3.	Oct. 17, 2009	Regina R & R Trefoil Guild	SERVING HOTDOGS AT REGINA FOOD BANK DRIVE The R & R Guild volunteers to serve hotdogs to hungry canvassers at the annual Youth Food Bank Drive. The event provides tonnes of food for the recipients of the Food Bank. The Guild is proud to have been involved in this citywide service project. for many years.
2.	Saturday, October 2, 2009	#22 Guides #28 Pathfinders	Guides and Pathfinders staffed two water stations for the Flatlanders Road Race.They were responsible for filling water glasses and passing them out to the runners going by and then picking up any garbage as a result. They each earned two hours of community service. Helping out were Toni Safinuk (Guides 22), Dominique Middleton, Samantha Safinuk, Rebecca Perigny, Jada Baker, Maiah Tratch, Marina Saalmann (all Pathfinders 28). Beth Dreger for Pathfinders #28
1	Sept. 23, 2009	The Regina R & R Trefoil Guild (Recycled, Relaxed, Replaced, Rested, Relaxed etc)	TEDDIES FOR TRAGEDY We took on the Teddies for Tragedy project as a special request of a friend of one of the Guild members. Teddies for Tragedy are small stuffed, knit Teddy Bears that are put into a drawstring bag and sent to children in third-world and disaster torn countries to be given to children who are ill. Doctors who treat children found that the teddies were important to healing. The children can then take them home with them so a continuous supply is needed. The R & R Guild has quite a few knitters, so they started making Teddies. It is estimated that the Guild has sent over 200 Teddies, and we’re still knitting!