Cenovus Cares: Shaping our communities
Recently, our Corporate Planning team in Calgary, AB decided to take a break from their screens, trading in their electronic devices for garden tools.
A team of 18 volunteered their time and expertise to maintain the Oasis Garden in Calgary’s Bridgeland neighbourhood. The garden was designed by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and every plant was carefully chosen for its distinct smell and texture, to create a sensory experience for visually impaired residents and visitors.
“We were looking for a team-building event that would help us step out of our comfort zones and engage our other senses. The Oasis Garden was the perfect spot for that,” says Saletta Hindemith, Senior Administrative Assistant of the Corporate Planning team.
Guided by a Master Gardener - another passionate volunteer from the community – the Cenovus team used garden tools to tend to the shrubs and flowers, experiencing firsthand why the garden is considered a sensory haven for the visually impaired. Many visitors also stopped by to express their gratitude to the Cenovus team. The Oasis Garden also holds a special place in the hearts of the senior community in Bridgeland, and its maintenance by volunteers has a profound impact on the ability of visually impaired visitors to enjoy nature.
“The CNIB provides valuable services such as guide dogs, rehabilitation programs and fundraising efforts to help individuals access technology for improved mobility at home and work,” says Saletta. “This team building event in support of the CNIB Oasis Garden gave our team a wonderful opportunity to engage with the environment and to lend support to those with vision impairment in our communities. We left the garden with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that our collective effort contributed to maintaining a place that brought joy and comfort to those who need it.”
Thank you to our incredible Cenovus Cares volunteers, who make an impact within our company and the community!
LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 2023