It's fitting that Love Winkler and Love Gretna, the community's first event of the sort, should occur during Pay It Forward May.

Red-shirted volunteers spread throughout Winkler and Gretna Saturday to show love to their communities through simple acts of service.

"It's basically wanting to have the community come together to extend love to everybody and to help each other out," said Connie Dansereau coordinator with Love Gretna.

In Winkler volunteers helped cut wood at Katie's Cottage

Connie and her troop, including a few members of the Gretna church, helped to tidy up a few yards in the village, pull weeds, and clean out the Gretna fire hall from the after-math of recent renovations.

"Honestly, it was put on my heart," Dansereau said.

"God showed me that he wanted to have this done, and I went with it. Who doesn't want or need love? Everybody deserves love, and this is my way of showing God's love."

"Love Gretna" shirts were donated by Access Credit Union, and Gretna Food and Deli donated a hot dog meal for the day.

Hundreds of food hampers were delivered in Winkler

In Winkler, Brenton Friesen, assistant pastor of Gospel Mission Church, said Love Winkler went well. Around 100 people from Friesen's church gave of their time to bless their community. Some helped cut wood at Katie's Cottage, others delivered 2000 cookies, food hampers. There was also a free BBQ lunch outside Co-op in Winkler

"Love Winkler started maybe ten years ago, and it's only grown," said Friesen. He added that the name "Love Winkler" will have to change soon as his church wants to spread their service to Morden as well.