For many charities, the heart beat of the organization are its volunteers.
Like many others, Okotokian Debbie Herring said being a volunteer at the Foothills Country Hospice is a way to give back and lend a hand to others when they need it most.
“It’s an uplifting experience,” she said. “It’s a very spiritual place to be. It’s the total opposite of what you’d expect if you’ve never experienced it yourself.”
Herring has been volunteering at the hospice for the past four years. She said it’s a way to give back because her stepfather was a patient in 2011.
Her job is to support the patients and their families.
“Usually, by the time people come here, they’ve come to terms with it and the families feel a sense of relief that they’re at peace,” she said. “There here to live their final days. They’re here to enjoy and live and be with each other and share with each other.”
Herring helps out where she’s needed. Sometimes she helps with patient support, bringing meals or collecting food trays or by taking minutes during board meetings.
Her regular shift sees her work at the reception. It’s an important role. Herring’s the first person many see when they walk into the hospice.
“I typically get to be the first contact with family and friends,” she said. “I enjoy the people and interacting a bit with the patients.”
For Brian Martin, being a volunteer is all about supporting the community.
“My family and I have been very fortunate and I feel it’s important to give back what I can,” he said. “I’m retired, so I have some time on my hand. It’s always good to give back when you’re in the position to do so.”
Martin volunteers at his church and at events, such as the Briar curling championships and the Shaw Charity Classic golf tournament. He has been a volunteer at the Okotoks Food Bank for three years.
Martin said the food bank is a worthy cause to give his time to.
“The food bank is a great organization,” he said. “There certainly is a need there.”
Martin is prepared to help in whatever way he can.
“On Friday mornings my wife and I we go in and primarily sort donations,” he said. “On Mondays I run from the Calgary Food Bank supplies down to the Okotoks Food Bank for a program called Food Share.”
Volunteers like Martin and Herring are integral to helping Foothills charities do their work in the community, say local charity staff.
“It’s a great deal of difference,” said Sandi Courtorielle, Okotoks Food Bank volunteer coordinator. “We have a high demand and there’s no way we can provide the services without the assistance of volunteers.”
The food bank had 231 people volunteer in 2017. She said some are students looking for community service hours and some are in for short stints, while others are long-term supporters.
Volunteers help out at events, they stock shelves, sort donations, check expiry dates and pack food hampers.
“Anything to do with handling the food, we have all our donations come in and of course we get food deliveries, so that has to be unpacked and weighed and sorted,” she said.
Julie Echlin, Foothills Salvage Centre manager, said many of their volunteers have been coming for several years.
“They’re very crucial to the running of the Salvage Centre,” she said. “They do a tremendous amount of work. They help us on many levels.”
They do everything from sort donations, organize and stock shelves, as well as sort, test and recycle donations.
The centre has 30 volunteers, including board members. Last year the centre’s volunteers donated 6,440 hours to the centre.
It all adds up, and not just for the salvage centre. Simply by volunteering their time, its volunteers are able to support Foothills charities.
The centre donates proceeds to local charities, with half going to charities and organizations selected by volunteers.
“We keep track of their hours and at the end of the year when we make our donations – this year we donated $150,000 – $75,000 was divvied up between the volunteers,” said Echlin. “Depending on how many hours they put in, they get a certain dollar value per hour and they can donate that to the charity of their choice. Then, in turn, that charity gives them a tax-deductible receipt.”
Last year the centre donated just over $180,000 dollars to 20 organizations.
Echlin said it’s yet another way for volunteers to help give back.
“It’s nice that while the volunteers are working here they get to also support an organization near and dear to their heart,” she said. “It’s really nice and the more hours they’re able to contribute, then the more dollar value they get to donate.”
