‘An awesome, good feeling’: National Volunteer Week underway in Medicine Hat

The Unison at Veiner Centre in Medicine Hat depends heavily on volunteers, with 178 of them filling 21 different roles.

One of those volunteers is Jim Grossman, who with his wife, helps with the Meals on Wheels program.

It’s one of a variety of volunteer efforts taken on since he retired 10 years ago.

While delivering meals, he enjoys being able to visit with the seniors who might not get other social interaction.

“Being around older people who don’t have anybody else to talk to in a day, I find that an extremely nice thing to do,” Grossman said.

Cori Fischer, director with Unison at Veiner Center, said volunteers provided almost 14 thousand hours last year.

“That’s the equivalent of seven and a half full-time employees,” Fischer said.

“That’s seven and a half more people doing more things at the center if I didn’t have these volunteers, we would not be able to offer all the amazing programs and services we do,” she added.

“We could not keep our doors open if we didn’t have volunteers.”

Sherry Sinnaeve volunteers one day per week in the kitchen, normally as a cashier and enjoys the social aspect of volunteering.

“It was just to get me out of the house, something to do besides just sitting in my craft room, crafting all the time,” Sinnaeve said.

“You get to meet all these wonderful seniors and even some of the volunteers you get to know. I’ve made many friends over this year that I’ve been here,” she added.

“It’s also got me into doing some of the activities over at the Strathcona Centre, doing some of the yoga classes.”

Sandy Crawford works at the reception desk at both the Veiner Centre and the Strathcona Centre and loves being able to volunteer.

“It get’s me out of the house. I’ve met so many people. Made so many friends,” Crawford said.

“I feel like I am contributing to my community and I love it here,” she added.

“They appreciate us being at the desk and being able to help them with questions and direct them into people being able to give them the services that they need. It’s very gratifying.”

Fischer is very grateful for the benefit the volunteers provide.

“We absolutely need these volunteers and we’re so grateful for every hour, minute that they give to us. And I hope that we’re giving back to them as well,” Fischer said.

“I’m hoping that they feel a sense of accomplishment and a sense of pride in supporting our organization.”

Grossman said volunteering is quite rewarding and something he never gets bored with.

“It keeps us active, it keeps us busy, and it’s helping somebody else. And that’s, giving back is an awesome, good feeling.”

If you know someone who volunteers, when you see them this week, remember to thank them because every moment matters.

by Jesse Gill

‘An awesome, good feeling’: National Volunteer Week underway in Medicine Hat

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