Regina community groups coming together to help everyone beat the heat this summer
With a stretch of hot weather descending on parts of Saskatchewan, community organizations in Regina are coming together to help everyone stay cool.
Carmichael Outreach is working to fundraise $5,000 to purchase a new outdoor water fountain for its facility.
“We see hundreds of people a day, many of whom are homeless or transient of some sort, so they don’t have that access to water,” Aurora Marinari, the development coordinator for Carmichael Outreach, said.
“We don’t have the funds to purchase hundreds of bottles of water a day and we can’t expect organizations to donate that much water to us. We just find that we have a shortage of water for our clients.”
Other community groups, including the Heritage Community Association and the Regina Community Fridge, have also put out calls for water donations.
A permanent water fountain in the city’s core could help offset some of the demand.
“People could access that water at all times. They could come fill up water bottles. The [fountain] that we want has the ability for their pets to come get water because a lot of our clients do have dogs,” Marinari said.
The $5,000 isn’t something Carmichael Outreach budgeted for, but it’s still pushing to have the fountain installed this summer.
Donations can be made on the organization’s website.
Marinari said shoes, specifically flip flops, are another key item they need donations of.
“We get a lot of clients that come in and their shoes are worn out,” she said. “They will have warmer shoes from winter and their feet are too hot and they don’t want to wear them, but then they’re going to burn their feet. Something as simple as flip flops is a really big thing we could use.”
The City of Regina’s Extreme Weather Committee, made up of various organizations around the city, has compiled a list of resources available to the public during extreme heat.
“This is a group of organizations that’s able to flex their spaces a little bit,” Kelly Husack, a policy analyst with the City of Regina, said.
“They’re able to offer increased supports during times of need. That can include bottled water, different foods and snacks in addition to what they would normally do and opening up their space to support people through cooling spaces.”
The city also provides free bottled water at each of its fire stations.
PET PROTECTION
The Regina Humane Society (RHS) is offering some reminders to help keep pets safe during extreme heat.
“Use common sense and be very aware of what your pet is doing,” Bill Thorn, director of marketing and public relations with RHS, said.
Thorn said it’s perfectly fine to bring pets outdoors during the heat, but it’s important to keep an eye on their behaviour.
“Keep an eye on them at all times whether they’re in your backyard or you’re out for a walk,” he said. “Look for signs of overheating, things like excessive drooling or panting, perhaps they’re getting a little lethargic. Those can be the early stages of heat stroke.”
Going for shorter walks or walking in the morning or evening are some options to keep in mind when it’s more than 30 degrees.
Thorn said severe signs of heat stroke can include diarrhea, vomiting, uncoordinated movements, fainting and seizures.
“If those types of things happen, get them into a cool spot as quickly as you can. Douse them in cool water, not cold water, give them something to drink and get them to the vet,” Thorn said.
He also reminds pet owners to never leave animals in a hot car, even if air conditioning is on.
“Unless you’re taking your dog with you wherever it is you’re going, leave them at home,” he said.
“They’re not going to be put in danger and why would anyone want to put their best friend in danger like that?”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.