CN employees volunteer time to United Way’s Day of Caring

Sep 26, 2016 | 4:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a project that has sat incomplete for two years. But a group of CN Rail employees are helping to rejuvinate the courtyard and playground at the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops. 

CN has partnered up with United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo, to sponsor a ‘Day of Caring’. 

The corporation has donated thousands of dollars to help put the final touches on the project at the John Tod Community Centre.

It’s the final stage of a project that’s been two years in the making. The development of the courtyard at the Boys and Girls Club in Kamloops, is finally becoming a safe and perfect place for kids to play. 

“They utilize this space every day, these missing pieces have been missing and we’re really excited to have them get completed today,” says Traci Anderson, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops.

There was no shortage of hard work at the John Tod Community Centre Monday, thanks to several skilled workers from CN Rail, who are building a new deck, and a dock, to allow a smooth transition between the sandbox area and the playground. It’s all part of United Way’s Days of Caring. 

“We’ve actually done over 400 hours of volunteer work through days of caring this year, but this project with CN is a lot bigger than our typical day of caring, because we’re working with more skilled workers,” says Sarah Sandholm, Community Campaign Manager, United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo.

CN Rail has partnered with United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo, to sponsor the project. At a cost of $4,000 the corporation is lending a hand, purchasing all of the materials and donating $5,000 the the cause.

“They’ve been extremely supportive, and they actually gave a large donation to help us rejuvinate the John Tod Centre, where our project is being held today, it’s really important and we appreciate these guys coming out on their days off or even after night shift, to help us out,” says Sandholm.

In between night shifts and on call shifts, seven CN Rail employees have volunteered their time. When they were approached, there wasn’t any hesitation. This team of handymen are dedicated to doing what needs to be done. 

“It’s always nice to help out if there’s somebody in the community that needs help and they don’t have the man power to do it but they have volunteers that can come and spend some time to help them get it done, it makes it easier for everyone and makes the group feel good to help out the boys and girls club,” says Tim Priestley, CN Transportation Employee.

At the Boys and Girls Club, dollars are spent providing services for children and families at low cost or no cost at all. And it’s no doubt, this revamped courtyard and playground, will create a lasting difference. 

“They’re taking their time and doing it really well, for us that’s something that’s not in our skillset as service providers of children, youth and families, and without United Way Day of Caring we definitely wouldn’t have been able to put this together, so we’re really excited,” says Anderson.