#VolunteerWeek2021: The Value of One, The Power of Many
It's National Volunteer Week! Here at Calgary Meals on Wheels, our volunteers play a crucial role in our ability to ensure that all Calgarians have access to nutritious, affordable meals. To say we are grateful would be an understatement! In celebration of our incredible team of over 500 volunteers, we chatted with a few to find out why they volunteer.
Meet Tristan!
Tristan has been a volunteer with Calgary Meals on Wheels since 2013! He teams up with his support worker, Gilbert from the Progressive Alternatives Society of Calgary (PASC), delivering meals three days per week!
Tristan volunteers because it gives him an opportunity to be involved in his community in a one-on-one environment that allows him to flourish.
Thank you Tristan!
Meet Ron and Gail!
They had often thought about volunteering with Calgary Meals on Wheels, and when the pandemic hit, they signed up!
“We wanted to be more directly involved with the people in our community, and to do something to help others.”
Thank you, Ron and Gail!
Meet Ron!
A former cameraman for Shaw TV, Ron came to Calgary Meals on Wheels to film a story, and was inspired by what we do. When Ron’s uncle, also a volunteer, suggested he join, that was it!
Not only does Ron have a regular route, he also picks up spares when we need an extra helping hand. His favourite part of volunteering is when he gets to surprise clients by delivering unexpected gifts at Christmas time.
Thank you, Ron!
Meet the Adopt-a-Route team from Suncor!
As a team, employees at Suncor deliver on a regular basis to give back to their community together. We asked the team members what their most memorable experience has been. This is what they had to say:
Michelle: “My very first meal delivery was to a couple - [the gentleman’s name was Abdul and he blessed me on my head and thanked me very much for their meals. It was always my favourite place to visit, and he brightened my day as much as we did his.”
Mandy: “There was a very kind gentleman who would bless you every time you delivered a meal. It was a small but such an impactful moment when you got to deliver to him! Any thank you goes a long way!”
Rasha: “The one memory that stands out and I will never forget was just after the pandemic hit. I was delivering a meal to the Sundial building on 6th Avenue, waiting for the elevator on the 11th floor with another senior. We started a conversation, and this beautiful person said that without our deliveries, some of these seniors wouldn’t have food for the day. It just hit me how important this program is. Thank you all for allowing me be part of it.”
Melissa: “I cannot recall his name, but he always had the kindest demeanor. Delivering to him was always a pleasure because he always had a nice story to tell and would always send you on your way with a heartfelt blessing from God. “
Julie: “Connecting with fellow colleagues, and bringing joy to the clients we support. Knowing that we sometimes are the only contact our clients see in a day, seeing the joy on their faces and hearing the gratitude in their voices when we arrive with their meals, makes me feel like I have made a small (but positive) impact on their day. As some have already mentioned, some clients would even offer blessings!”
Thank you, Suncor Team!
