WILLIAMSBURG – Volunteers are special people, and hospice volunteers are really special because they show a level of commitment and dedication that is so much appreciated at a critical time.
“The biggest gift you give to us is your time,” said Tina MacQueen, volunteer coordinator for Dundas County Hospice, during last week’s volunteer appreciation event at the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre in Williamsburg.
“The small things all of you do often make the biggest difference at a critical time for our clients,” said MacQueen.
Hospice is always looking for volunteers and has many capacities in which people can assist the effort.
This year’s volunteer of the year award was awarded to Margaret Joldersma, who is the perfect example of someone who helps out in many ways.
“She does so much behind the scenes,” said MacQueen. That includes cooking for the day hospice and cleaning all of the equipment, which is no small task.
“She’s always there with a smile,” said Paul Renaud, board chair. “She’s dedicated, dependable, giving and hard working.”
About 20 Dundas County Hospice volunteers attended the appreciation tea, representing only about half of the organizations volunteers who are key in all of the services offered by the organization.
“The volunteerism that you do here with heartfelt warmth and support is vitally important,” said North Dundas mayor Tony Fraser.
“It’s important that we as community leaders support your role as volunteers,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “You are the volunteers and you do this because it’s the right thing to do. We couldn’t survive as a community without your efforts.”
Eric Duncan was the guest speaker at the event.
MacQueen said that she chose Duncan, not because of his political career, but because she first met him as a volunteer, which is something that he has been doing since the age of 13.
Duncan spoke about all the positive aspects of volunteering, the real-world learning opportunities and experiences it provides.
