Labour of love in scavenger hunt

There’s no need to hunt for something to do during the Labour Day weekend. You can provide a labour of love for the community.

The first annual Studio Me’s Social Scavenger Scurry is happening Sept. 2 in Okotoks.

“I have been part of a number of different scavenger hunts which have challenged me to learn about Calgary or where I am,” said Jody Swift of Studio Me. “I thought wouldn’t it be incredible to have a scavenger hunt that is about supporting and helping our community.”

The format has teams of four doing various jobs around the Okotoks area.

“It will be task driven — there will be different type of tasks teams will have to do at different venues or locations,” Swift explained. “This is an opportunity for maybe the elderly in the community, who may need help with yard work or cleaning out a garage and can’t afford the labour. We are looking for people who are in need.”

It’s also a chance to help various organizations in the community. For example, one stop may be just providing food for the Okotoks Food Bank.

The organizers are looking for teams and people who need some chores done.

“Basically, we’re free labour,” Swift said. “But for example, if someone needs to have a fence painted, they have to supply the paint and brushes.”

The organizers are now working to find some tasks.

“We have talked to the Town if they need parks that need cleaning or tasks that need to be done,” said Studio Me’s Nicole Alton.

Churches and some charity groups have also been approached to see if they need tasks completed — or want to do some tasks.

“We want to encourage anybody who says: ‘Hey, my neighbour could really use some support — lawn mowed, basement cleaned…” Swift said. “My momma always said ‘many hands make light work.”

Studio Me is aiming for 20 tasks for 20 teams of four.

Teams might be wise to choose someone young enough to have some social media expertise.

Teams verify doing a task by taking an Instagram photo, which will then be posted.

“That’s why you enrol a younger person who is Instagram savvy,” Swift said with a laugh.

The Instagram also allow businesses to promote themselves if its team completes a task.

Swift is confident they can get the needed tasks and teams — even though she has never seen such a scavenger hunt like this one before.

“I am constantly inspired by the Foothills community and our Okotoks community,” Swift said. “I am always thinking of ways that I can give back.”

The cost is $25 per person ($100 a team).

The proceeds will go towards the Self High-Five Personal Empowerment Society.

The society provides financial help for individuals seeking personal-growth and development, such as yoga classes, personal courses, work in the arts and others.

Anyone wishing more information can call Studio Me at 403-422-4673 or go to their webpage at studiome.ca/contact.

For information about Self High-Five Personal Empowerment Society go to.selfhighfive.org