Words Jamila Douhaibi
Photo Sarah Hartley Photography
Volunteerism is hopefully not a lost art. While the workforce may ensure the world turns, without volunteers, it wouldn’t turn very fast.
Choosing to support the community without financial compensation still reaps the rewards of connection and companionship, but the output can still be much greater than the input. Fay Chisholm has been upholding this art for decades, giving back through the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Tourist Info Centre, and so much more.
Born on the Prairies, Fay moved to the Island in 1986. In Manitoba during her 20s and 30s, she belonged to a non-academic sorority with the motto “the only right you have is the right to be useful.” She also volunteered with the Virden Chamber of Commerce, which she says introduced her to many new people and produced new friends. After settling on the Saanich Peninsula, she again looked for ways to get into the community and keep the sorority’s volunteer-driven motto going strong.
For nearly 30 years, Fay volunteered with Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization (PEMO). The organization was set up to respond to natural disasters and emergencies. Fay admits that when she first moved to the Peninsula, she didn’t realize that it was an earthquake zone and wanted to know where to go if there was an emergency. Through PEMO, which is under the umbrella of the three local fire departments, Fay gained knowledge and experience on how to respond and support the community and visitors. She says there were many “mock exercises,” that took place in Sidney, throughout the Peninsula, and even on the BC ferries. Of all the volunteer positions she’s held, Fay says this one felt like it was making the biggest difference. Years ago, when there was a bomb scare on one of the ferries, Fay remembers helping at a reception centre in Sidney where several out-of-town passengers stayed.
Fay learned some great pointers that everyone should know, including having a “grab and go kit” at home and in your car. The kit should have water and medications, and possibly a satellite radio if you don’t have a working car radio. Another great suggestion is having a pair of shoes under the bed to put on in case of an earthquake. If mirrors or glass break in bedrooms, a pair of shoes will ensure a speedy exit.
In another long-term position, Fay volunteered with the Saanich Peninsula Hospital until the pandemic. For 10 years she was at the front desk, greeting everyone with a smile. She said many people came from the smaller islands and would be nervous, but she provided a positive start to their hospital visit. She was there when the hospital considered closing their emergency room, which led to an outcry of objections that quashed that plan. Hardest for her was when friends were in palliative care, but when family came in, her presence acted as a space for people to transition into their time at the hospital.
At the Tourist Information Centre, where Fay volunteered once a week for 18 years, she got to see the ebb and flow of tourists as each new ferry brought people to the Centre. She says she met people from all over the world and sees the Centre as a “vital connection for anyone coming off the ferry” – another place that acts as the first point of contact as people enter new or different surroundings. Part of her experience there was doing “fam tours,” or familiarization tours, where volunteers would visit different restaurants, hotels and attractions to be able to give genuine recommendations. Fay says she was there to share “joy with everybody.”
In the 55+ park where Fay now lives, she always encourages people to become more involved in the community. She raised her daughter Cheryl with the same mindset; she has now taken over Fay’s role at the park’s clubhouse. Fay believes that giving back to the community decreases isolation and connects people to numerous opportunities that will match their capabilities. She says: “you can never be lonely if you step out and volunteer.”
