Shining Stars
Shining Stars is a biweekly feature in the Lethbridge Journal that allows member organizations to highlight exceptional volunteers! If you would like to highlight someone special, contact Christina or call 403-320-2044.
Here's a look at some of the volunteers who make our city a great place to live, work and play:
Ten Thousand Villages would like to recognize Gloria Bremer for contributing ten years of voluntary service to our organization. Gloria first became a volunteer at Villages in 2002 and many years later, she still continues to work a shift each week in the store - she volunteered an astounding 200 hours in 2011! At one time, Gloria also coordinated all the off-site community sales for the store and more recently, she has prepared the coffee sale each month for McKillop Church. Gloria’s passion for Fair Trade along with her creative spirit not only impacts our artisans afar but, also each one of our customers, volunteers, and staff. Thank you Gloria and congratulations on this significant milestone!
Lethbridge Family Circle Association gathers its volunteers (pictured) during a retreat Jan. 11. The organization is a non-profit dedicated to developing a co-location site called Family Village which aims to bring together community and social services to improve access for citizens in Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta.
As this project is still in development stages, the organization relies on volunteers to continue. Volunteers have spent much of their time and energy acting as board members, volunteering for various committees including marketing, fundraising and more. Several volunteers were also vital in making the organization’s Annandale fundraiser a success in December 2011. Volunteers could be found taking donations, greeting guests, providing tours and handing out cider. The passion and dedication each volunteer displays for the project is invaluable and much appreciated!
Top left photo: Darren Adamson, Sonny Zgurski, Judy Brown, Trever Broadhead
Top right photo: Chris Fujita, Nadine Chandler, Corrine Steele, Noreen Neufeldt, Dylan Adkins
Bottom left photo: Paige McCann Sauter, Laurie Ruff, Sarah Amies, Scott Rowland
Bottom right photo: Greg Schmidt, Dave Lawson
Bob Dyer has been president of the Volunteer Lethbridge board since 2009. During that time, Bob has been a strong voice for the organization, helping to further its vision and mission. He is always willing to lend a hand at Volunteer Lethbridge’s events, whether it’s serving cake during National Volunteer Week or acting as a cashier during our dunk tank fundraiser.
“To be part of helping others and seeing their smile is a great appreciation,” says Bob about volunteering.
Bob can always be counted on to brighten our day with his sharp wit and sense of humour. Thank you, Bob; your contributions are much appreciated!
Wim Chalmet has been a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for five years. During that time, Wim has taken on many roles, including relay participant, health and safety co-ordinator and event chair. Most recently, Wim was selected to represent Canada at the International Relay Summit as well as join the Relay Advisory Training Team. 2012 will be Wim's third year as event chair for the Lethbridge.
It didn't take Wim long to get noticed by Relay managers as a volunteer with not only a tremendous talent, but also a strong dedication to the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society. After four years of volunteering, Wim has advanced beyond the regional volunteer level to become one of the divisions most valued volunteers.
Wim is a fantastic team leader, who successfully delegates responsibilities over three committees, ensuring all pieces come together for a successful event. Thank you, Wim!
Join us for Relay for Life 2012 at the Lethbridge Exhibition; register by visiting www.relayforlife.ca .
Agnes Hulse has been the volunteer Librarian at Family Centre Since 2008. She has spent many hours making the library beautiful and easily accessible to families and clients. At 82, Agnes learned a computer program which helps Family Centre track the lending and return of all our books. When Family Centre recently moved to a new site, Agnes unpacked and shelved all of the books – 1,736 in total! She also catalogued and displayed all of Family Centre's pamphlets and information pieces.
Agnes also lends a hand with barbecues, pancake breakfasts and more! She demonstrates cheer and enthusiasm and gives each task 100 per cent. Since joining Family Centre in 2008, she has donated an incredible 1,700 hours of volunteer time. She has become an invaluable part of the Family Centre team. Thank you, Agnes!
Taylor and Camryn VandenBroeke were the poster for the Crohn’s and Colitis Heel n’ Wheel-a-thon fundraiser this summer.They’ve been participating in and volunteering at the walk literally since before they were born. The girls hand out door prizes and t-shirts while their parents, Cara and Chad help with set up, registration and collect pledges. Their mom has Crohn’s disease and it’s very important to these girls to raise money to find a cure for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Cara and Chad have been long time volunteers with the Lethbridge Chapter of the CCFC, instilling the importance of volunteering in their girls.
Thank you Taylor and Camryn!
For the last six years, Volunteer Lethbridge has had the pleasure of working with Landen Dodds, a faithful volunteer who comes in every Thursday to handle our office shredding. Landen rarely misses a shift and keeps the staff smiling with his great conversation and sense of humour. Thank you, Landen!
Vanya (standing) and her family have been participating in the Annual city-wide Coulee Clean-up since 2008. Each year they take on a new coulee; through their contributions, this group has donated over 40 hours to removing garbage from Lethbridge's natural landscape and removed more than 20 bags of garbage. Vanya’s daughter Zaria asks, “Mommy, it is time to clean the coulees yet?" It is in statements like these that we know this initiative is having a positive impact within our community. Thank you to Vanya and her family for their efforts to make our community a cleaner, greener place!
Cheryl Fujikawa is an exceptional leader and volunteer for the Oldman Watershed Council. Cheryl is always bringing new ideas to the council and keeping everyone informed of the latest research. She is a treasured director and Watershed Science team member who is valuable both in and out of the boardroom. Cheryl’s enthusiasm is seen through her promotion of the OWC, willingness to attend events and recruitment of volunteers. We can’t say it enough – thank you Cheryl!
Chris Biesheuvel is a volunteer for Chinook Regional Hospital’s Blossoms of Hope Gardening program. Through the program, volunteers help cancer patients maintain their home garden. Chris is a cancer survivor, so volunteering for the cause comes naturally.
“The first year I had cancer, I went outside and looked in my yard and started taking pictures of flowers and it was very relaxing,” says Chris. “Flowers are a great tool in stress relief.”
Chris’ positive attitude and enthusiasm for the program has encouraged many wonderful people to volunteer to help out. Chris enjoys orientating and training other volunteers and hopes to increase awareness about the program. Thank you to Chris and his gardening volunteers – our Shining Stars for their involvement with this wonderful program!
Star Hatch is an outstanding volunteer at Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association. She is always on time and willing to do whatever she’s asked. Her easy going personality and horse skills are a hit with riders. She does a super job at making everyone feel welcomed. Thank you Star for all your hard work! We hope the joy it brings keeps you coming back to volunteer for many more years to come!