A perfect match makes all the difference

BY HOLLIE WATSON

For over two decades, Bob Cheetham was a selfless volunteer who devoted his time to the welfare of his fellow man.

“He would often have three or four protégés at a time. He visited with them, drove them to appointments, and even did their accounting,� said Mary Clare Tanguay, director of West Island Citizen Advocacy.

But life is not without irony. Following a series of strokes, Cheetham found himself on the other side of the fence.

“With an aging population and a declining volunteer base, it’s not uncommon that dedicated volunteers are put in a position where they require the type of support they once provided to others,� she said.

Joan Pitcairn is an advocate with the Pointe Claire-based agency, which for 30 years has matched caring individuals with people in need in their community.

She and Cheetham have forged a strong friendship since they were paired a few years ago. She visits him regularly at the Lakeshore General Hospital, and looks after Sam, the Labrador mix they picked out together at the SPCA.

“We chose the dog with the understanding that if anything happened to Bob, Sam would live with me,� said the former nurse, adding she decided to “dedicate my retirement to working with seniors. They have so much experience and a lot to offer.�

The non-profit organization has been having a difficult time recruiting new volunteers of late.

“There are currently about 350 matches, compared to 420 a couple of years ago. And presently we have a waiting list of 125. We get seven or eight referral calls every week from people who need assistance or their families, but we just don’t have the advocates to keep up with the demand,� Tanguay explained.

“We cover a broad spectrum,� she said, adding protégés range from the elderly and the disabled, to people who suffer from physical and intellectual handicaps.

“We try to be there for anyone who is in need of a friend and practical support.�

New advocates undergo a coaching session to help them identify expectations and obstacles they may encounter. They are expected to commit to a couple of hours every two weeks, whether it’s for a chat over a pot of tea, transportation to the doctor, or simply window shopping.

“It may not seem like a lot to offer, but it means so much to them,� said Tanguay.

One of her own protégés is intellectually handicapped, and they go out for burgers every couple of weeks.“He’s thrilled, over the moon. And on a personal level, it is very rewarding to help someone in need. It gives you a different perspective on life.�

For more information about West Island Citizen Advocacy, call 514-694-5850.