Changing the world, one volunteer at the time

Last fall, I was a volunteer receptionist at Volunteer West Island. It was pleasant work, but I certainly wasn’t stomping out hunger, ending wars or otherwise changing the world. Then, one day I realized that I had changed someone’s world.

Volunteer West Island hosts a monthly social event to help break isolation for seniors in our community. I was on reception duty the morning of the September event, when a lovely lady called. She was distraught because she’d spoken to someone the previous day and had been told that a volunteer driver would pick her up for the event and drive her home again. She desperately wanted to come, but couldn’t remember what time to expect the driver, whom she had spoken with and, by the way, could I please, please make sure her name was on the guest list? She added that she’d been ready and waiting for the driver for the past half-hour.

It was 10 a.m. when she called and the social activity started at 1:30 p.m. I assured her that she hadn’t missed her lift and that I’d call her right back with the details. I barely had time to get the information when she called again. I confirmed that a driver would pick her up at 1 p.m. and that her name was definitely on the guest list. It was her response that moved me so deeply. She was overcome with emotion simply because she had a means to leave home and spend time with other people. That’s when I realized that, as a volunteer, I had made a difference in her life on that day.

According to a 2004 study (Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating), Quebec has the lowest rate of volunteerism in the country. Not surprisingly, the same study noted that lack of time and the inability to make a long-term commitment were the top reasons cited for not volunteering. A lesser-known fact is that volunteerism has evolved to accommodate this reality. Volunteering opportunities are available for one-time events. Virtual volunteering is a growing trend and group volunteering with friends, colleagues and family presents a way to spend time with our social network while contributing to a good cause. The important thing is that every little bit helps.

So if you think that even just a few hours of your time won’t make a difference, think again. Together, we can make our community a better place to live, work and play — one volunteer at the time.

—Linda Thompson is the community relations co-ordinator at Volunteer West Island.