This is Volunteer Week in Canada and one of our dedicated local volunteers is Pam Herman, who also finds reward in introducing students to the joys of volunteer work. On her own Herman has enjoyed volunteering her time with many different organizations including Emergency Social Services, Dry Grad, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the Seniors’ Appreciation Dinner, Salvation Army, RoadSense Day, Williams Lake Stampede Association, SPCA, Minor Softball, WL Community Council for Restorative Justice, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, 2002 BC Winter Games, and the 139 Children’s Fundraising Society.
As a youth-care worker, Herman says it is also essential to give her students the opportunity to volunteer in our community as well. “Volunteering increases their self esteem and helps give them a sense of community,” Herman says. “I have seen a change in each student that I have taken volunteering.”
This year, Herman has taken students from Skyline to volunteer at the food bank and at the Seniors Village and captures here a few of the responses from her students on their experiences.
Dorion Harry volunteers at the food bank almost every week and says it is fun and he knows he is helping people, even though he does not get to see the people he helps.
He says the food bank always needs more help and hampers made up.
Skyla Fairhurst states that volunteering with seniors makes her feel good and she has a lot of fun with them. She feels their visits also makes the seniors happy as well.
Montana Smith says that it makes her feel good to spend her time helping at the Seniors Village. She feels that it makes the seniors happy that others care.
Jesse Russell-Lambert also feels that it is fun to meet new people — for both himself and the seniors.
He thinks it is good for the seniors to hang out with younger people, especially when they don’t get to see their grandchildren.
Steven Holbrook says that it is satisfying for him to help others who are in need and it costs him nothing.
He says his ability to interact with people one on one and put a smile on their face for the day makes him feel good about volunteering with the seniors.
He thinks it makes the seniors feel like they are somebody.