HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-04-17, Page 11V�IJNTEE
Where would we
EXETER - The theme for this year's National
Volunteer week running from
April 21 to 27 is "Volunteers -
Our greatest Natural Resource."
Volunteer week has been
established to advocate the
importance of volunteerism
and provide an opportunity
for special recognition of
volunteers in the community. In times
of reduced government assistance, volunteers are
playing increasingly important roles and additional
demands are being made on their time.
"Imagine what would happen if the volunteeer in
our communities went on strike?" reads a recent
Times -Advocate, April 17, 1996
Page 11
e without them?
press release from Volunteer Huron.
Without volunteer support, many programs and
services taken for granted would come to a halt.
Minor sports, 4H, and other youth groups
as well as services for seniors and
local fairs are just a few of the many
community events and organizations
that benefit from volunteerism.
The T A has profiled volunteers who
represent a variety of organizations
including the Cancer Society, the
Optimist Club, Big Brothers and Sisters,
Meals on Wheels and the Umbrella Club. These
individuals volunteer their time to provide services
and programs that are vital to their communities.
Dig a rother comes oatumt11,
EXETER - For Ed Potter of Exeter, becoming a big brother was
something that came naturally. In fact, Potter was a big brother
before he even knew it.
In 1988, Potter was introduced to a single mother and her son. He
quickly developed a friendship with the boy taking him on outdoor
activities.
Around the same time he was approached by a member of the
South Huron Big Brothers/Sisters organization who said Potter was
recommended by a town council member as being an excellent big
brother candidate for a particular boy in the community. After a
talking to the representative he learned the boy in question was the
same boy he had befriended a year earlier.
Since then, Potter has been a big brother volunteer and his seven
ye44elationshjp with Itis little bro(jter is the grganizatipn's lamest,
running matchlo cisxtE -
"I've always been involved with kids and I enjoy our relationship
very much," said Potter who has been Cub Scout leader, a baseball
coach, a member of Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada and a
member of
Men For
Missions
International
since 1979.
One of
their favorite
activities
together is
going for a
ride on
Potter's 1984
Gold Wing
motorcycle
and the two
spend a lot of
time outdoors
swimming and
fishing.
"We never
did catch a lot
of fish, but we
had a good
time," said
Ed Potter
Potter.
Since his second marriage, Potter admits he hasn't seen his little
brother as often as he would like and sometimes conflicting schedules
pose a challenge, however, Potter said his little brother knows "if he
ever needs me I'm as close as the telephone."
Being a companion to his little brother is important to Potter, and
along the way he tries to be a positive influence on his life.
"I try to instill some self-worth in him...encourage him to make
friends with other youths." Potter also gives him a few practical
pointers. "I also try to teach him about the value of money," he said.
Giving his little brother the opportunity to try different things and
giving him a "sense of freedom" he may otherwise never experience
is what Potter enjoys the most.
"It feels good knowing you've done some good...I've received a
blessing out of it."
FeL1osp is pa of tke e;ip¢ri¢nc.,.
EXETER - Cancer is a disease that "affects almost every family" said
Patient Services volunteer Marie Brunzlow.
For more than 10 years Brunzlow has been working with the Huron
Chapter of the Cancer Society which recently completed' a successful
April Daffodil Days campaign. She is a contact person who advises
cancer patients what services are available in Exeter and surrounding ,
communities.
"When I first started there were a lottore services. There have been
a lot of cutbacks," she said.
Services provided to cancer patients include babysitting and extra
hours of homecare. The Victorian Order of Nurses also provides
palliative care to assist patients.
Brunzlow is a nurse at Clinton Public Hospital where she has worked
nights for 29 years. She continues to work part-time as Night Supervisor
and during the sununer months works full-time.
"It suited me when we were raising our children. My husband could
look after the children at night," said Brunzlow, who has three Children
and five grandsons.
Raised west of Kippen, Brunzlow is a graduate of South Huron
District High School. She was contacted by the Cancer Society to fill a
vacant position in Patient Services in 1983 and after seeing cancer
patients in the hospital, was eager to participate in a support system for
members of her community,
In addition to nursing and volunteering with the Cancer Society,
Brunzlow has found time over the past five years to deliver food for
Meals on Wheels. She is also actively involved with the Exeter United
Church United Church Women where she has made "quite a few
friends."
"I just enjoy doing it," she said. "I enjoy the fellowship of other
volunteers."
Brunzlow encourages members of the Exeter and area community to
volunteer.
"It's very sadsfying. If you have any time at all...It just makes you
feel good."
Big Sisters priiicQ is rewarding,,.
GRAND BEND - Becoming big sister was an easy choice for
Marlene Davelaar of Grand Bend.
"When my daughter left for university I needed someone to fill the
void in my life," said Davelaar who felt she was suffering from empty
nest syndrome.
Davelaar has been a volunteer for the South Huron Big
Brothers/Big Sisters organization for nine years and has been matdhed
up with three "little sisters" during her tenure. Growing up with two
brothers, she said she feels she would have benefited from a big sister
and appreciates the positive impact a special friend can have on a
young girl's life.
"I feel there's a real need for big sister volunteers especially for
tecnagers,..high school can be very stressful."
Whetimccking gbgaschoolkaistdriver, Davelaf}r is exposed to many
young people dally, holkever it's'tiot as fulfilling as the one -ca -one
relationship she gets from her little sister.
"As a bus driver you have to lay down the law a lot and you can't
really develop close friendships," she said.
Davelaar
and her 17 -
year-old little
sister enjoy
activities such
as horseback
riding,
canoeing,
bicycling and
trips to places
like
Marineland.
She also
attends her 4-H
functions and
admits she has
just as much
fun as her little
sister.
"You get to
be a kid alt
over again
because you
get to do things
kids do," she
said adding she
photographic
scrapbook of their outings to give as
"Sometimes it's the only record they have of their childhood."
Davelaar feels a big sister should take on the role of A mentor and
try to become a positive and long-term influence on their little sister's
life.
"I encourage them to get an education and to be the best person they
can be."
The time she gives to her little sister has also been a positive force
in Davelaar's life.
"Being a big sister is about being good friend and having a lot of
fun...it's been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life."
Marlene Davelaar
a gift when their match is over.
Working with people is the best part of volunteering...
LUCAN - Volunteer Bob Davis is chair of the Umbrella Club, a unique
service group established four years ago consisting of representatives from
Lucan's Optimists, Volunteer Firefighters, Masonic Lodge, Legion, Knights of
Columbus and Lions.
Besides organizing and distributing Christmas hampers, the Umbrella Club
donates to the Ailsa Craig Foodbank and pools funds and resources for
community emergencies such as fires.
"If an emergency comes up in the community, we can get together," said
Davis, who has been chair of the club for the past year after taking over for
founder Pat Clarke.
"I enjoyed it," said Davis. "I visited a couple places that were really needy...it
gives you a feeling...you're doing something at Christmas time."
Claiming his volunteer success is largely due to the support of his wife, Davis
has also been an active member of Lucan's Optimist Club since it began helping
community youth ay sponsoring minor sports in 1982. Davis recalls being
approached by an Optimist member who was canvassing to start up a local
group. It was his fust experience with volunteer work.
"1 was new to the community..:1'f you didn't join a club...You'd have a hard
time meeting people."
Davis, who had been Optimist president in 1985 and 1986, participates in
numerous initiatives including running the club's main fundraiser, a monthly
London Bingo, for 10 years. The club holds a Golf Fest in March as well as a
June bike rodeo, an Easter egg hunt and a December grocery store shopping
spree, one of Davis' favorite events.
"I guess I found that pretty funny to watch," he said.
The club plans to organize a slow pitch tournament for the village's 125
celebrations in June, sell hamburgers on the Civic Holiday weekend and hold a
new October Optifest dinner and dance in October.
Davis is also helping the Optimists with pavilion improvements at Elm Street
Park where the club, he said, hopes to install new playground equipment.
Of all the benefits of volunteer work, be likes the social aspect best.
"I think working with people is the best part...If 're goiitg to live in a
community, you have to put a bit bank *to it...Yon just do what you can."
Bvb Davis