Volunteer logged 10,300 hours over 32 years
King pin of the hampers George Flavell honoured
After 32 years of volunteering with The Salvation Army in Peterborough, George Flavell is hanging up his hat.
The 77-year-old was recognized for his contributions to the organization during the volunteer appreciation luncheon at The Salvation Army on Thursday.
In 2017, 584 citizens volunteered with The Salvation Army, logging 10,300 hours overall. They filed income taxes for 876 residents, provided 8,800 food parcels and 450 fresh produce boxes through the food bank, served 9,000 breakfasts, distributed 2,300 Christmas hampers and staffed The Salvation Army Thrift Store.
Flavell started volunteering in 1986, when he was asked to drive a truck to deliver the food hampers. Nobody at The Salvation Army had a DZ licence, so Flavell stepped in.
After several years of driving, he was asked if he’d be willing to do something else. Flavell assumed they’d ask him to carry the food in, too. But he was wrong.
“They meant take charge of the whole deal,” he said.
For the last 12 years, Flavell was the king pin of the food hampers.
In the beginning, he spent up to a dozen hours a day for about two weeks prepping the hampers. As time went on, it took about a week and a half to get job done, working shorter days.
Flavell also volunteered to do income taxes for The Salvation Army. The organization helps low-income earners with their returns.
The Peterborough resident said he’s enjoyed his volunteer time but he’s ready to move on. That doesn’t mean he won’t ever pack another hamper again though.
When asked why he chose to volunteer for more than three decades, Flavell said, “Why not?”
“You’re asked to help, you help.”