Local volunteers give time, support to help others
Thousands of people make life better for others in Waterloo Region
WATERLOO REGION — Regardless of the weather outside, Marie Cressman hops into her car every Thursday afternoon to deliver hot lunches to people who live alone at home.
The Kitchener woman started volunteering for Meals on Wheels several times a week when she retired 16 years ago. These days she volunteers once a week.
“I’m 80 so I had to cut back a bit,” she said with a wry laugh.
Despite her age, Cressman doesn’t see herself stopping any time soon.
“I think they really appreciate the nutritious meals they get. It is so rewarding to see how appreciative they are and that is why I keep doing it.”
This week is National Volunteer Week. It’s a time to recognize the often underappreciated work of thousands of volunteers across Waterloo Region.
Cressman visits up to 12 people over lunchtime every Thursday before she heads back to Meals on Wheels headquarters to labels meals for the next day.
The local branch, known as Meals on Wheels and More, helps more than 7,000 people locally through its meal program, free exercise classes and transportation to get groceries and go to appointments.
Cressman is just one of 300 volunteers who help out each week.
For seniors who live alone or people who can’t leave their homes, Cressman is there like clockwork with a hot meal and a bit of company as well. “It’s a real help to them,” she said. Raquel Damiao, 22, volunteers her time by answering phone calls for a 24/7 support line at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
“Their values are aligned with mine and they are a very inclusive organization. It seemed right up my alley,” she said.
Damiao first heard about the support centre when the agency spoke to one of her legal studies classes at University of Waterloo.
For Damiao, it seemed like the perfect fit, regardless of how trying the task can be.
For the past year-and-a-half, she has donated her time to answer calls for a four-hour period once a week and listen to people who need support.
By the end of one shift, Damiao admits she can feel mentally exhausted.
“It can be very intense and heavy,” she explained. Night shifts are often especially difficult and busy.
“As long as I feel like the person is in a better place than they were when they started, I feel like I’ve helped someone. It’s very rewarding.”
When she has had a difficult shift, she can turn to her supervisors if she needs to.
Damiao also occasionally offers her time as a court support volunteer, a program where volunteers accompany clients to court proceedings.
The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region has more than 100 volunteers in a variety of programs and it provides six to eight weeks of training for all volunteers.
National Volunteer Week originated in 1943 to highlight important contributions women made to the war effort. It was forgotten after the war ended, but was then revived in the 1960s.
For a list of volunteer opportunities in Waterloo Region, visit the Volunteer Action Centre’s website at www.volunteerkw.ca.