Elaine McMurray has the heart of a lion and is a social warrior that so loved her role as a “Raging Granny” that she got a tattoo to commemorate the experience. She is also looking to restart this group in the region so that she can join other social warriors to raise awareness of injustice and issues faced by people who are often marginalized through song and demonstrations. However, while the Raging Grannies have been on hiatus since COVID, Elaine (a retired social worker and former nun) has never stopped her commitment to justice, volunteering on a variety of organizations and committees to raise funds, to address poverty and to give a hand up to those experiencing hardships.

“Currently I am volunteering with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in several capacities: I deliver food hampers, I train new volunteers, I am the liaison with our local parish to parish council and I am the president of what we call Particular Council which encompasses all St. Vincent de Paul conferences in the Valley,” explains Elaine. “I am also the co-chair of the National Social Justice Committee. We are focused on advocacy, especially housing and all poverty related issues along with diversity and inclusion concerns.”

“I am a member of the Board of Directors of our men’s recovery program: Ozanam House,” adds Elaine. “In my perfect world everyone would have safe, secure and affordable Housing and adequate income, that is my dream.”

Elaine is an advocate for everyone to have secure and safe housing and as she says, “continues to journey with the city on the homeless initiatives.”

Elaine started volunteering when she was only eight years old and made her Brownie promise to “Lend a Hand” and she hasn’t stopped volunteering since.

“Volunteering is truly a gift, I am so grateful I am able to say YES!,” states Elaine emphatically, encouraging others to volunteer also. “No challenge is to great, try it out, the rewards will convince you to stay.”

“I love seeing the joy in people when their world is even a bit happier because we were able to bring joy and dignity to their day,” continues Elaine, acknowledging that volunteerism has taught her that she can still learn and make a difference and that we all deserve to live with dignity. “

Elaine was humbled to receive the Kelowna’s Citizen of the Year award in 2020 and take great pride in her perseverance and commitment, which also saw her walk 322 km on the Camino when she was 69 years old. She also has a tattoo to commemorate this feat, as well as one to show her deep commitment to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Through her community and volunteer work, Elaine has had to apply for many grants and funding opportunities and now she is ready to share her knowledge as a volunteer facilitator for KCR’s Grant Writing Essentials workshop. This in-depth curriculum includes six workshops that will take participants step by step through the process of writing effective grants. Learning includes Logic Modules, Balanced Budgets and Crafting Compelling Stories and starts on Thursday, August 8 (9:00 – 12:00 noon). Registration is still open – find out more at www.kcr.ca or register on Eventbrite.  The cost is only $299 for all six sessions and you will workshop you next grant at the same time, so that you are ready to hit submit at the end of the course. Elaine will be joining other community volunteers who will share their wisdom and first-hand knowledge of grant writing with the participants. We are very grateful to Elaine for signing on for this.

Sandy Broen-Dupuis moved from Alberta to the Central Okanagan in 2021 after a career in healthcare and immediately set her mind to volunteering. New to the community, she went to the Okanagan Volunteer Fair (more info on this below) and spoke with the representatives from organizations that she was initially interested in and through this came away with two new roles.

“As a volunteer for Lake Country Health, I drive people to medical appointments and assist them with their errands,” explains Sandy. “I get so much joy from sharing time with the people that I drive and hearing about their life experiences.”

“There are so many great stories,” continues Sandy. “And I am thrilled when I am able to draw upon my own experiences in healthcare systems to anticipate the needs of the people I drive and make their day a little bit easier.”

This connection to her former career is a great motivator for Sandy, who adds “Volunteering gives me an opportunity to leverage my knowledge and life experiences to serve my community, while developing new skills and meeting some amazing people.”

Sandy also volunteers with the Regional District of the Central Okanagan Emergency Support Services (ESS) as she herself has experienced being evacuated from her home due to wildfires.

“After learning about ESS at the Volunteer Fair, it seemed like a good fit for me and a way to support my community,” shares Sandy. “It has given me an opportunity for continuing education and learning new skills that help me in my roles with the volunteer management team, and evacuee registration and referral services.”

In her free time outside of her volunteer roles, Sandy is an avid cyclist and her hobby is to plan bicycle trips and routes. She loves to spend her vacations cycling backroads around the world.

She encourages others to volunteer, reminding them that it doesn’t have to be a large time commitment to make a big difference in someone’s life and concluding that “there are so many different types of volunteer opportunities, and all of us have experiences and skills that are needed.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you can start your volunteer journey by checking out some of the available opportunities at www.VolunteerConnector.org or connect with Wendy Williams at KCR for one-on-one support to find the right opportunity through the Volunteers4All program (E: wendyw@kcr.ca).

Current opportunities on the Volunteer Connector include Rehoming Coordinators for ElderDog Canada, where you can help senior people care for their dogs so that they can stay together for as long as possible; Park & Play Program volunteers for the City of Kelowna, where having fun and helping kids enjoy local parks is your main goal; and Tech Mate volunteers for CNIB, who help individuals who are blind or partially sighted, to use technology.

Our team is working hard on preparing for this year’s Okanagan Volunteer Fair at Parkinson Recreation Centre – mark your calendars for Saturday, September 21, 2024 and come meet teams from 60+ local organizations that are looking for volunteers just like you!

Sonia Newman has dedicated over 25 years to Westside Health Network Society (WHNS), starting with a part-time position while her sons were growing up, and for many years now as the Executive Director. Having originally been raised in Boyle, Alberta, she has called the Central Okanagan home for 30 years. She is proud of her two sons and happy to be “Baba” to two granddaughters. She is entirely committed to her organization’s mission of enhancing seniors’ wellness through volunteerism, education, referral and social programs in the West Kelowna and Peachland area and is looking for new volunteers that will make a huge impact.

“I found my passion,” enthuses Sonya, who decided to take the gerontology certificate program at UBC to support her work. “The organization became a society in 1991 and we have been growing for the past 33 years assisting seniors in the community.”

Sonia along with Karen Northcott, the Coordinator of Volunteers, are the only employess, with all of the other services provided by incredible volunteers.

“We have volunteer drivers, visitors, tax clinics and a group that knits and crochets articles that are donated to the community,” explains Sonia. “These volunteers make a huge impact for seniors as they navigate the system with the wish to remain in their own home in the community that they love.”

Potential volunteer roles include Board Directors, Drivers who help seniors get around town and to their appointments, Volunteer Visitors who join seniors for a visit, walk or activity and Digital Device Tutors, who help participants stay connected through technology.

“We require Criminal Record Checks for most positions as people work directly with vulnerable elderly population,” states Sonia. “Our volunteers are caring, compassionate people who feel that they have made a difference in a senior’s life. For example, volunteers deliver Christmas packages to seniors living alone and there are always tears of joy as the seniors truly appreciate ‘that someone cares.’”

Sonia highlights that WHNS also offers navigation services, helping with referral and connection to community resources for seniors, as well as an exercise program and a social program.

If you are interested in joining the WHNS team as a volunteer, connect with Karen at 250-768-3305 or email whns@telus.net. You can also find out more about the organization at www.westsideheathnetwork.org.

Sonia herself volunteers as “it is rewarding to know I made someone’s day and it gives me something to do in my retirement.”

For more opportunities to share your time and passion, check out the VolunteerConnector.org. Cool new positions are always popping up, including as Park Ambassador or Environmental Steward at the Regional District of the Central Okanagan or join KCR Community Resources’ new Community Crew. As a Community Crew member you will be helping at community events and activities, sharing your bright smiles, community knowledge and helpful spirits  with event goers.

If you think museums are only about old things and telling old stories, Maria Garcia, the Museum Services Associate at Kelowna Museums will change your mind and hopefully inspire you to join the team of volunteers that support the organizations’ mission and vision.

“Kelowna Museums Society started in 1936 as a community interest and in 1951 as a registered not-for-profit society,” explains Maria. “It provides the region’s residents and visitors with on-going interpretation of the Okanagan and beyond. We are committed to serve the community as history is not just something static that happened in the past, it’s alive and moving forward. Everybody living in the Okanagan right now is part of that history.”

The Kelowna Museums Society’s mission is to provides the public with educational exhibitions and programs that foster personal participation, stimulate curiosity, and engage the senses with the cultures, histories, and possibilities of the Okanagan region and includes five distinct identities in three locations: the Okanagan Heritage Museum, Okanagan Military Museum, The Okanagan Wine & Orchard Museum, the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame and the Laurel Packinghouse. There is always something new to discover and Kelowna Museums works with Indigenous partners to share learning experiences like na̓ʔk̓ʷulamən (nakulamen, what we do) and nsyilxcen for Everyone.

Maria is originally from Mexico where she used to be a broadcaster (presenter, writer and researcher) for a public radio station and also worked in public and cultural institutions for over 20 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Art History, focused on film and is an avid fan of horror movies, especially The Exorcist. She and her husband moved from Edmonton to Kelowna in July 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and she was thrilled to see the posting for her job with the Okanagan Heritage Museum the week after she got here.

 “It was a natural for me, so I applied and got the job,” she remembers happily. Part of Maria’s work includes coordinating the volunteers that help at Kelowna Museums. “They support by working at the front desk and at special events. Our organization is not that big and so the impact they make is huge – especially with the visitors!”

“Working the front desk implies that you are the face of the organization and every time a visitor comes through the door, you are the person welcoming them, giving them information about our exhibits, taking donations and inviting them to our public programs,” adds Maria. “Also, you’re in touch with the rest of the people in the organization. During special events, you assist the education team with all the activities they create for our visitors.”

Volunteers can apply on the Volunteer Connector, through the Museum’s website and also in person. Maria has both medium and long-term positions available and likes to have a regular schedule for people.

“Volunteers have to like interacting with people and commit to a certain shift as much as possible, but our program is also flexible, depending on their schedule,” explains Maria. “Many volunteers are students who also have paid work and so we need to be flexible.”

Volunteers get to know how the museum works on a daily basis and to learn about the Okanagan history and other programs,” says Maria, sharing on the benefits of volunteering. “They can develop or reinforce their communication, organization and team work skills, and they get discounts in our gift shop and the public programs, plus they get invitations to special events.”

“Some of our volunteers are very involved in our journey towards truth and reconciliation and have taken nsyilxcen courses as well as cultural competency workshops,” shares Maria, explaining that she loves to see those who have been engaged with the museum in the past come back to volunteer. “These volunteers are very valued and appreciated specially during Truth and Reconciliation Day, when the museum holds activities and welcomes hundreds of visitors.”

To learn more about Kelowna Museums or to volunteer, go to www.kelownamuseums.ca.

If you think museums are only about old things and telling old stories, Maria Garcia, the Museum Services Associate at Kelowna Museums will change your mind and hopefully inspire you to join the team of volunteers that support the organizations’ mission and vision.

“Kelowna Museums Society started in 1936 as a community interest and in 1951 as a registered not-for-profit society,” explains Maria. “It provides the region’s residents and visitors with on-going interpretation of the Okanagan and beyond. We are committed to serve the community as history is not just something static that happened in the past, it’s alive and moving forward. Everybody living in the Okanagan right now is part of that history.”

The Kelowna Museums Society’s mission is to provides the public with educational exhibitions and programs that foster personal participation, stimulate curiosity, and engage the senses with the cultures, histories, and possibilities of the Okanagan region and includes five distinct identities in three locations: the Okanagan Heritage Museum, Okanagan Military Museum, The Okanagan Wine & Orchard Museum, the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame and the Laurel Packinghouse. There is always something new to discover and Kelowna Museums works with Indigenous partners to share learning experiences like na̓ʔk̓ʷulamən (nakulamen, what we do) and nsyilxcen for Everyone.

Maria is originally from Mexico where she used to be a broadcaster (presenter, writer and researcher) for a public radio station and also worked in public and cultural institutions for over 20 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Art History, focused on film and is an avid fan of horror movies, especially The Exorcist. She and her husband moved from Edmonton to Kelowna in July 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and she was thrilled to see the posting for her job with the Okanagan Heritage Museum the week after she got here.

 “It was a natural for me, so I applied and got the job,” she remembers happily. Part of Maria’s work includes coordinating the volunteers that help at Kelowna Museums. “They support by working at the front desk and at special events. Our organization is not that big and so the impact they make is huge – especially with the visitors!”

“Working the front desk implies that you are the face of the organization and every time a visitor comes through the door, you are the person welcoming them, giving them information about our exhibits, taking donations and inviting them to our public programs,” adds Maria. “Also, you’re in touch with the rest of the people in the organization. During special events, you assist the education team with all the activities they create for our visitors.”

Volunteers can apply on the Volunteer Connector, through the Museum’s website and also in person. Maria has both medium and long-term positions available and likes to have a regular schedule for people.

“Volunteers have to like interacting with people and commit to a certain shift as much as possible, but our program is also flexible, depending on their schedule,” explains Maria. “Many volunteers are students who also have paid work and so we need to be flexible.”

Volunteers get to know how the museum works on a daily basis and to learn about the Okanagan history and other programs,” says Maria, sharing on the benefits of volunteering. “They can develop or reinforce their communication, organization and team work skills, and they get discounts in our gift shop and the public programs, plus they get invitations to special events.”

“Some of our volunteers are very involved in our journey towards truth and reconciliation and have taken nsyilxcen courses as well as cultural competency workshops,” shares Maria, explaining that she loves to see those who have been engaged with the museum in the past come back to volunteer. “These volunteers are very valued and appreciated specially during Truth and Reconciliation Day, when the museum holds activities and welcomes hundreds of visitors.”

Congratulations to all the volunteers in the community – whether formal or informal – you make our community better every single day and we appreciate all you do!

Meet Ruba Qumi, the amazing Central Okanagan Family Hub Coordinator, who started as a volunteer for KCR Community Resources because she believed so strongly in the difference that KCR and The Family Hub make in the lives of families. Ruba is sharing her story to encourage others to volunteer at the Hub and to be a part of the team that provides a safe, family-focused space where both kids and their parents can thrive.

Ruba was born and raised in from Turkey Jordan, the land of earth-shattering landscapes and the mesmerizing Dead Sea. Ruba has lived on three Continents so far: Asia (Jordan), Africa (Namibia) and North America (Canada) and has a Masters in Environmental Sciences and Management. Ruba and her husband Sam Belete, a local realtor, have two sons, grade three and five.

“What initially attracted me to KCR was that when my husband visited Kelowna (we were still living in Namibia), he met a settlement worker form KCR and they exchanged several emails” Ruba explains, sharing that husband Sam had come here to explore the possibility of the family moving to the Okanagan. “After exploring KCR’s website, I felt strongly about wanting to work there.”

“Upon our move to Kelowna, KCR provided invaluable assistance to my family in settling in and securing employment,” continues Ruba. “Attending their workshops enriched my knowledge, prompting me to begin volunteering.”

“At the onset of the pandemic, I volunteered with the Family Hub,” shares Ruba. “It was my first year as a newcomer to Canada, while my husband juggled both studying and working. With the responsibility of caring for our two young boys, I often grappled with feelings of fear, isolation, and concern, especially for distant family members. My volunteering experience at the Hub became a turning point for me. Meeting with the Hub Coordinators at parks allowed me to explore and appreciate the beauty of Kelowna, while also forging connections with other families.”

“Through extending support to them, I discovered a profound sense of purpose and belonging,” explains Ruba. “It proved to be a source of solace and strength during challenging times. For me, volunteering is a journey of self-discovery and continuous improvement … and finding true happiness.

For Ruba the Family Hub is more than a service provider – it’s a welcoming second home for families.

“Here, meaningful friendships are established, and bridges of cultural awareness and understanding are built,” enthuses Ruba. “Families from diverse cultures, backgrounds, races, and religions come together, befriend one another, and offer mutual support. It’s a place where connections are formed and where everyone feels a sense of belonging.”

“We believe that by creating a supportive community where families can connect with one another, share experiences, and receive support, we can strengthen the fabric of our society and promote well-being for all,” adds Ruba. “The Hub is a happy place where the innocence of little toddlers, the resilience of families, and true positive transformations are witnessed. It’s a testament to the power of community and the profound impact that support and connection can have on individuals and families alike.”

Ruba is currently recruiting volunteers to be a part of building that support and connection. Volunteers are essential to the success of the Family Hub as their dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to give their time makes a tangible difference in the lives of families they serve. Without volunteer support, Ruba indicates that they would not be able to provide the comprehensive assistance and resources that families rely on to thrive.

“Most volunteer opportunities are in-person, allowing volunteers to directly engage with families and provide hands-on support,” says Ruba. “We offer diverse volunteer opportunities to suit different preferences and skill sets. Whether individuals are looking for short-term commitments, flexible scheduling, or opportunities to directly engage with families, there are options available to get involved and make a meaningful impact in our community.”

To connect with Ruba and the Family Hub, email info@cofh.ca or call 250 826-6264.

It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week starting April 14 and a as the Volunteer Centre of the Central Okanagan, KCR Community Resources offers a huge shout-out to the many volunteers that make our community a better place to be. Volunteers make a difference by sharing their time and skills with organizations that match their values and passions.  Year in and year out, they give freely of their resources and in return they receive gifts of social connection, creating impact and building skills.

Next week also marks the third year of us sharing stories and opportunities from the community. We continue to be grateful to the many individuals and organizations who have shared their passion for volunteerism and to the Kelowna Capital News for providing us the space to share these stories.

The theme for National Volunteer Week this year is “Every Moment Matters” and across Canada we are celebrating 24 million volunteers that are the life blood of the not-for-profit organizations that build and enrich our communities. Whether their focus is the arts, environment, sports, social services or wildlife, not-for-profit organizations fill in gaps and answer urgent calls from the community. They address marginalization and vulnerability experienced by community members. They give opportunities for celebration and coming together. They allow people to pursue their passions and to make an impact.

Far from being “non-profits” these organizations are all about social profit! The only way this social profit can be achieved is with volunteers. Volunteers are integral to mission driven organizations and we couldn’t do what we do, without them.

So please consider in your life, where do volunteers make a difference? Where is your life improved because of volunteers? Then take the time to seek them out this week. Take a moment to see them, to thank them and to let them know the impact they are making.

For KCR as an organization, we have over 300 volunteers that help to deliver the services provided to the community. Over the course of only one year, they provide over 12,000 hours of work, answering calls for the Crisis Line, helping Newcomers settle and find meaningful work, supporting families and children, fighting to make the community more welcoming and helping individuals and organizations benefit from the power of the volunteer movement. For their unconditional giving, for their passion and heart they bring to their roles, we want to say THANK YOU to these amazing volunteers. We also want to acknowledge the amazing volunteers that undertake the responsibility, liability and passion of providing governance for not-for-profit organizations: the directors on the organizations’ boards. Without their oversight and guidance, societies, literally could not exist. In the case of KCR, we owe a big debt of gratitude to: President David Brown, Past President/Interim Treasurer and Secretary Laura Thurnheer, Vice-President Bill Thompson and Directors Peter Boyd, Karen Graham, Eric Li, Michelle Rebiere, Brendon Rothwell and Jasmine Somal.

We also extend a huge thank you to the thousands of volunteers, in whatever capacity they serve, that support other organizations throughout the Central Okanagan.

For Maria Macdonnell, volunteering offers a chance to make a real difference and has been an important part of her identity. She started at age 14 as a candy-striper at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) and volunteered while attending high school. After marrying her high school sweetheart, Maria was always active in their four boys’ schools and PAC. When the boys were in high school, she became the “team mom” travelling with the soccer and basketball teams, prepping all their meals and snacks.

“After our youngest son graduated from high school, there was a real sense of loss in that may volunteer days were behind me, so to speak,” reminisces Maria. “It wasn’t until we attended a beautiful gala for JoeAnna’s House and heard all the guest speakers talking about what JoeAnna’s House was about, that I knew I needed to inquire about volunteering there. I started in 2019 and it is truly the highlight of my week each Wednesday to go in for my shift.”

Opened in 2019 and steps away from Kelowna General Hospital, JoeAnna’s House provides accommodations for out-of-town families with loved ones receiving care at KGH. Maria’s volunteer duties include daily household tasks, visiting with guest, setting up the share meal program and orientating new guests when they arrive.

“I am loving my current volunteer role and all the duties that come along with it,” says Maria enthusiastically. “I get to help people feel comfortable and give them someone to talk to, to help ease what they are going through in their personal lives. I help to make them feel welcome and at home as guests at JoeAnna’s House.”

“I honestly look forward to it every week and seeing familiar faces. I’m just so happy to be part of this organization of caring and generous individuals.”

In the future Maria hopes to add a day of volunteering at KGH in the cuddle baby program but currently she and her husband also like to travel and she loves hiking and walking with their dog, visiting friends and family and enjoying Okanagan Lake. She loves to volunteer as it allows her to give back to her community in a meaningful way and it fulfills her. She and her husband have also sponsored and volunteered for the Salvation Army Fill the Van program for 27 years.

“Participating in the “Fill the Van for Sally Ann Food Drive” left me feeling grateful, humbled, and inspired by the community’s generosity,” explains Maria. “Seeing the bins filling up with donations from our generous community brought a profound sense of fulfillment knowing we were making a difference in the lives of those in need.”

“Through volunteering I have learned a lot about myself and gained valuable insights into the lives of those around me,” shares Maria. “I’ve discovered my capacity for empathy and compassion, as well as my ability to adapt and problem-solve. Additionally, volunteering has provided me with a deeper understanding of the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people I have had the privilege to work alongside, fostering a greater sense of empathy and connection.”

If you are looking for a volunteer role that can be as fulfilling as Maria’s at JoeAnna’s House, check out the VolunteerConnector at www.volunteerconnector.org. There are currently a wide array of positions including Environmental Stewards with the Regional District Parks Services, Boutique Merchandiser with Dress for Success and Social Media Volunteer with Pathways Abilities Society. There are so many ways to make an impact and a real difference. If you aren’t sure about where you want to give back, connect with Wendy Williams for the Volunteers4All program and she can match your interest and passion with great opportunities. Contact Wendy at wendyw@kcr.ca.