– by Doreen Marion Gee –
Volunteers are the life-blood of our Peninsula community. Their dedication raises the quality of life for all of us and improves daily existence for many, changing their lives in a positive direction forever. But the volunteers themselves could never imagine how those couple of hours a week would open up new possibilities and enrich and transform their own lives.
Imagine life on the Peninsula with no larger-than-life art shows, no knowledge-fuelled venues like the Ocean Discovery Centre or Centre of the Universe, no thrilling musical acts, no services for seniors, no parades etcetera. Without the dedicated volunteers that make these things possible, our community would be a less inspiring landscape. According to Bob Orchard, Sidney Lions Club Treasurer, their Food Bank “could not exist without their volunteers.” Brad Edgett, Executive Director of the Mary Winspear Centre, knows the sterling value of volunteers: “Volunteers in Sidney are our ambassadors, engaging people coming to our community and providing vital services to local people. I want to personally thank all of the volunteers at the Mary Winspear Centre and in Sidney for making our town a vibrant place.” His sentiments are echoed by Philip Sutton, Theatre Manager for the Mary Winspear Centre: “I am honoured to work with over 55 inspirational volunteers from our community. Their unselfish passion makes a difference in our community daily.”
Many not-for-profit organizations could not survive financially without volunteers. Brad Edgett is candid: “Without our volunteers, we could not function. We could not afford to carry on with our programs” due to the cost of paying people to do the same work. “Volunteers are vital to the success of Mary Winspear Centre.” Volunteers also ensure that community programs are accessible to everyone. Peninsula Elder College enriches our community with learning experiences for seniors at a low cost. According to Dustin Ray-Wilks, an Elder College coordinator, this is the result of volunteer instructors who keep the overhead down, making it possible to offer affordable classes and courses.
Five hundred and fifty volunteers from Beacon Community Services infuse caring and hope into lives on the Peninsula, providing everything from friendly visits to help finding employment. Deb Greenaway, Coordinator – Direct Volunteer Services for Beacon Community Services at the SHOAL Centre, explains how a simple ‘medical drive’ can change someone’s life forever: it can provide medical support and independence to a senior, enabling them to stay in their home longer and “the client also benefits from regular access to their medical supports – doctor’s appointments, physiotherapy, tests or procedures – leading to improved health and well-being.” The medical drives are a “god-send” to one grateful senior with Macular Degeneration who goes into Victoria for regular treatments for her eyes. Without the help she could not get to her appointments, causing her eyes to deteriorate further.
“Are you crazy?” was the knee jerk reaction by friends and family when I told them that I volunteered as a writer for a community newspaper. “Yeah, like a fox!” was my standard reply – that precious experience led to my present paid gig at Seaside. Why do people donate their time without pay? Does volunteering satisfy some primal need to prove that our lives are worth something? It definitely seems to change people’s lives in new exciting directions. A Beacon Community Services volunteer who prepares tax returns for low income clients feels “blessed and lucky” to be in a position where she can help others – especially when it is not a choice to be on the receiving end. A volunteer at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Jan Roper, is a friendly helper and kind ear to people in medical distress: “There isn’t enough money in the world to pay me for this opportunity to develop a new set of skills, have great adventures and help others.” Kelly Dinh, a graduate of the Youth Employment Program at Beacon Community Services, found volunteering a very valuable experience with incredible networking opportunities, valuable role models and mentors. Susie Lang was so impressed with the helpful service that she received as a client with Beacon Community Services that she became a volunteer herself. “I’m among those privileged to have already made several new and very dear friends.”
Those many people who donate their time and energy every day are the real architects of this extraordinary community – forging the bountiful, compassionate and culturally rich place we all love. But if you decide to pitch in and help out, be prepared for an unexpected surprise. The next life that you change may just be your own.
