A Day to Celebrate Volunteers

December 5, 2023 - In honour of December 5, the United Nations International Volunteer Day, CapitalCare recognizes the key contributions our volunteers make to create community and make a difference in our residents’ lives. This year, CapitalCare is celebrating the contributions of two volunteers who received the Alberta Blue Cross Community Wellbeing Grant for their contributions. Their dedication resulted not only in hundreds of hours of service, but a $1000 grant to each volunteer and to CapitalCare. Both volunteers generously decided to dedicate their grant to causes they care deeply about.

Carl, a volunteer at Lynnwood, and Dan a volunteer at Grandview, have been with CapitalCare as volunteers for several years. Carl has provided over 600 hours since December 2022. He joined the community at Lynnwood when his wife passed away while in care at the centre. He noticed residents who had few visitors and wanted to ensure they had someone to spend time with.

“I decided to spend more of my time feeding, visiting, and just talking to them and helping them any way that I could, treating them with respect, dignity, and to become their friend. It is heartwarming to see a smile. All these people want is to know that someone cares,” says Carl.

Carl volunteers in spiritual care, recreation and provides mealtime assistance. He even put together the rabbit hutch for CapitalCare Lynnwood’s resident rabbits.

At CapitalCare Grandview, Dan has volunteered since 2013. Providing over 1200 hours of service to residents with cognitive impairment, who appear lonely or otherwise unengaged, Dan works to build relationships with our residents every time he is at Grandview. He slows down and takes the time to get to know our residents, learning about who they are and the activities they love.

Dan spending time with residents.

“When I asked Dan if I could nominate him for this award, he turned to the resident he was with and asked their opinion,” says Terry de Visser, coordinator of volunteer services at CapitalCare Grandview. “The fact Dan asked their opinion and involved them in the conversation shows how person-centred and caring he is.”

Dan mentors other volunteers and fosters community at Grandview. When volunteers dedicate their time to our residents, staff have more time to care for residents as well. The whole caring community just works a little better when volunteers dedicate their time.

To volunteer your time, check out all of the volunteer opportunities available at CapitalCare. Volunteers | CapitalCare | CapitalCare Group Inc.