THE smile on Sheila's face said it all. She was one of 30 women who received a day of pampering Wednesday during the Day of Caring at the Nor'West Co-op Community Health Centre.
"My wedding day wasn't even this special," Sheila laughed.
She already had her nails done, picked out a sharp blue blazer, and was patiently waiting for a haircut.
"It's great for the self-esteem," she said.
While it was Sheila's first time at the event, it's become a highly anticipated outing for many women.
"They ask about it as soon as fall comes," said Corey Mohr, the community programmer at Nor'West.
The centre has partnered with a different workplace each year to put on the event since 2003.
Employees from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority joined with the United Way partner organization this year.
They helped make the event a smashing success by providing childcare, food and gifts. WRHA staff brought clothing so that each woman could take home a new outfit.
They also contacted different massage therapists, estheticians and hair stylists who volunteered their time and talent free of charge.
Some staff even rolled up their sleeves to help pamper the women.
Marni McFadden, a nutrition and food services worker at WRHA, assisted the estheticians by painting nails.
"I think it's a wonderful day and I'm glad to be a part of it," McFadden said.
The buzz in the room built when Laurie Lussier and Dan Huslemann arrived with two of their massage tables in tow.
"We did this last year and it was a lot of fun," Lussier explained as she set up one of the tables.
She said they enjoy giving back to the community, lugging their tables to fundraisers and events like these.
"It's very rewarding. Massage is very beneficial health-wise and a lot of people can't afford this on their own," Lussier said.
The United Way's Day of Caring program connects organizations to non-profit United Way partner agencies in need of volunteers.
The employees from the organization team up with agency staff for a day or less, working together to benefit the community in some way.
So far hundreds of Day of Caring events have been held, building up our communities with a wide range of events from community celebrations to the raising of a playground structure.
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