BGC Battlefords are out and about in the community to help everyone unplug from stress and plug into positive connections. (Submitted image/BGC Battlefords)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Unplug from stress

BGC Battlefords promoting positive connections

Jun 4, 2021 | 2:46 PM

Throughout June 4, residents in the Battlefords can expect to see youth from BGC Battlefords out and about trying to make positive connections within the community.

Unplug to Connect, a national event across the country that other clubs are participating in, wraps up today, where GC members are working to plug in to connections that promote wellness instead of those that create stress.

BGC Battlefords executive director Nicole Combres said part of the motivation for Unplug to Connect is the fatigue around social distancing and isolation during the pandemic and from almost everything becoming digital.

“It’s definitely taking its toll on our mental health and we’re seeing and experiencing this first hand,” she said. “So for this year, we want to celebrate the positive connections that of our clubs across the country continue to make during these trying times.”

“The community will probably see us doing some walking and driving around the community to spread some cheer and promote the importance of unplugging from stress and plugging into wellness.”

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Combres said they want to showcase the importance of making intentional connections with others after a difficult year where many programs focused on interaction were shut down or in a difficult spot when clubs shut down.

“So, we had to find different ways to still be intentional in connecting to our members and our families,” she said.

Participants from the after-school program Raise the Grade are out cleaning garbage in the area and creating wellness bags that will be handed out at the Lighthouse of the Battlefords. Some youth program participants also helping clean garbage and handed water bottlers out to residents.

“They are also making homemade dog toys that will be donated to the Humane Society and Prairie Pooches Rescue,” she said.

In addition to this event, Combres said they’re excited to announce a new recently launched partnership with M&M Food Market.

“Our local store has supported us in many other ways over the years,” she said, “but this is the first time it’s become a national partnership. So, I look forward to seeing what that will look like.”

And moving forward, Combres said it’s important that this day isn’t a onetime occurrence. Some examples of ways she believes residents can be really intentional with connections include volunteerism, reacting warmly to meeting strangers and making a point of providing positivity to any interaction. To do that, she said getting outdoors is huge.

“You might be doing something for both the community and yourself by being outside and volunteering or just walking down the street with a smile and greeting community members,” she said. “That can have a large impact.”

“This is a message we want to continue to get out into the community where we can create a place where everyone feels welcome and loved.”

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cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW