Estevan Diversified Services (EDS) is one of the longest-tenured member agencies for the United Way Estevan.
The organization was formed by the Estevan Kinsmen Club as the Work-Kin Shop in 1973, and it eventually became a member agency.
“The United Way has been our longest-standing supporter,” said Roberta DeRosier, who is a program co-ordinator at EDS and a United Way board member. “Besides the government funding that we receive, the United Way is really our big funder. It’s a necessity for us. We don’t know what we would do without them.”
This year EDS used the United Way’s allocation to purchase a new forklift for the woodworking shop. DeRosier noted the funding didn’t pay for the entire cost of the forklift, but it covered much of the expense.
“The forklift that we were using wasn’t safe,” said DeRosier. “It wasn’t the proper size for unloading the wood that was coming in, and it really wasn’t safe, so now all of our guys are kept safe when the wood is being unloaded.”
Previous allocations have been used for such expenses as a wheelchair-accessible washroom.
EDS has also become a strong supporter of the United Way, and DeRosier said EDS participants are thrilled to help out each year.
“They can make something to give to the United Way, and it really gives them a sense of self-esteem,” said DeRosier.
People with disabilities are used to receiving things, but like anyone else, they feel great when they can help others.
Some of the EDS participants will volunteer during the telethon by working in the kitchen. One participant is an honourary board member with the United Way, thanks to his annual contributions behind the scenes during the telethon.
EDS participants used to craft a toy chest for the telethon’s raffle each year. Now they donate an item for the bid table on an annual basis.
Last year they created two high-backed wooden chairs that DeRosier described as being very comfortable. Those chairs were used occasionally by hosts and others during the telethon.
“We had a lot of people testing them and saying they were very good,” said DeRosier.
This year’s item is a double rocking chair. It will be among the bid items for the 40th annual telethon, which is Oct. 14 and 15 at the Royal Canadian Legion.
“When they go to the telethon and they see something that they made, up there in the front, and it is among the bid items, it gives them a lot of pride,” she said.
The items they make for the telethon reflects the talent EDS has in its woodworking department, she said, and people who visit the woodworking shop, and see the talent and the teamwork, are amazed.
“The really cool thing is the amount of equipment that they can operate that I never would have thought of running before, things like air nailers and different saws,” said DeRosier. “You train them on it, and once they have it, they just go.”
Garnet Hall has been the production manager at EDS for 11 years, and also marvels at the items the woodwork department creates each year.
“The guys feel very proud of themselves when they do have an item up on stage at the United Way, so from that point of view, it’s a good thing,” said Hall.
This year’s item turned out great, and Hall expects the double rocker will be a popular bid items.
“I think it should be popular,” said Hall. “It should be fun on stage. They can sit in it and rock, and I’d imagine there will be some giggles out of that.”
Hall noted the woodwork department has made other projects for the community, including picnic tables for Woodlawn Regional Park, lawn furniture, children’s toy boxes, bird houses and equipment for businesses. \
Some of the EDS participants are also part of Family and Friends, which is another United Way member agency that helps people with intellectual disabilities in and around Estevan. There are also people with Family and Friends who aren’t EDS participants.
DeRosier noted Family and Friends is an advocacy group that educates the public about people with disabilities. Family and Friends will use money from the United Way for opportunities that clients normally wouldn’t have, such as trips to Regina for Saskatchewan Roughrider games.
“Family and Friends has put on dances where we’re able to invite people with intellectual disabilities from other communities, like Weyburn, Redvers and Kipling, so we’re making their circle bigger,” said DeRosier.
Family and Friends does not receive any government funding, and their chief source of funding is the United Way.
Regardless of whether the economy is in great shape, or if there are tough times, non-profit organizations like EDS and Family and Friends rely on the United Way, DeRosier said. They can fundraise, but then that takes away valuable time away from their employees, so they’re glad the United Way is here to offer support.
