Sunday, April 10, 2011 - North Shore News - A21 Thank You Volunteers! Community Volunteer Leadership in Action Behind every program, facility or working group, is a volunteer helping to shape the direction of the community and willing to serve others. This selfless investment makes West Vancouver a wonderful, caring and creative place to live. Thank you for your commitment, leadership and loyalty! West Vancouver Special Events • Harmony Arts Festival • West Vancouver Museum • Ferry Building Gallery • Ambleside Youth Centre • Seniors’ Activity Centre Kay Meek Performing Arts Centre • West Vancouver Community Centre • West Vancouver Memorial Library • West Vancouver Arena • Gleneagles Community Centre westvancouver.ca News photo Mike Wakefield A special feature of the Volunteer Volunteer WEEK WEEK APRIL 10th to APRIL 16th Ashley MacDonald [email protected]NINETY-NINE-YEAR-OLD Freddy Titcomb is a jack-of-all-trades and a master of quite a few. Volunteering since 1981 at West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre, Titcomb is in charge of statistics and manages some finances for the centre. His volunteering started years before, when his brother-in-law was a volunteer fire fighter in West Vancouver and he and Titcomb would go to the fires together. Eventually, the fire chief told him that he may as well join the department — and he did. Titcomb volunteered as a fire fighter in West Vancouver for 15 years and made two dollars for every fire and five dollars for every fire practice. “It didn’t matter how big the fire was either, and some of them were pretty big,” said Titcomb, through a broad and endearing smile that stretches from ear to ear. These days, he volunteers five days a week and takes an hour and a half for lunch and in return he doesn’t take any vacation days. “For what? Where would I go?” he asked. He has lived a life that is hard to believe, which is why he’s in the process of penning his autobiography. In the 1940s, he was one of B.C.’s few jukebox repairmen and travelled across the province fixing broken music machines. His resume is filled with a whimsical assortment of professions: Styrofoam mold-maker, owner of a craft store and a baker for the opening of the Hotel Vancouver in 1939. “I probably baked some buns for the Queen,” said Titcomb, who also came close to becoming a pilot.. He’s been awarded for all of his volunteer work in the community. But even if he hadn’t been recognized, that wouldn’t change anything. The two most important things to Titcomb are his beloved late wife, Ada and his volunteer work, which helped fill a void when she passed away from Alzheimer’s disease 18 years ago. “This placed saved me, and it’s my home,” he said. The two were married in 1939, while the Lions Gate Bridge was being built and he would take weekly pictures of its construction. Volunteering has been a part of Titcomb’s life since childhood. His parents volunteered, and he and his wife would always contribute their time in whatever way they could. “Every time I say I’m going to retire, all hell breaks loose,” he joked. The District of West Vancouver will be celebrating its centennial next year; right along with one of the hardest- working men in the neighbourhood. Senior does a lot of good in the ’hood
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Sunday, April 10, 2011 - North Shore News - A21
Thank You Volunteers! Community Volunteer Leadership in ActionBehind every program, facility or working group, is a volunteer helping to shape the direction of the community and willing to serve others. This selfless investment makes West Vancouver a wonderful, caring and creative place to live. Thank you for your commitment, leadership and loyalty!
West Vancouver Special Events • Harmony Arts Festival • West Vancouver Museum • Ferry Building Gallery • Ambleside Youth Centre • Seniors’ Activity Centre Kay Meek Performing Arts Centre • West Vancouver Community Centre • West Vancouver Memorial Library • West Vancouver Arena • Gleneagles Community Centre
NINETY-NINE-YEAR-OLD Freddy Titcomb is a jack-of-all-trades and a master of quite a few.
Volunteering since 1981 at West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre, Titcomb is in charge of statistics and manages some fi nances for the centre. His volunteering started years before, when his brother-in-law was a volunteer fi re fi ghter in West Vancouver and he andTitcomb would go to the fi res together. Eventually, the fi re chief told him that he may as well join the department — and he did.
Titcomb volunteered as a fi re fi ghter in West Vancouver for 15 years and made two dollars for every fi re and fi ve dollars for every fi re practice.
“It didn’t matter how big the fi re was either, and some of them were pretty big,” said Titcomb, through a broadand endearing smile that stretches from ear to ear.
These days, he volunteers fi ve days a week and takesan hour and a half for lunch and in return he doesn’t take any vacation days.
“For what? Where would I go?” he asked. He has lived a life that is hard to believe, which is why
he’s in the process of penning his autobiography. In the 1940s, he was one of B.C.’s few jukebox
repairmen and travelled across the province fi xing broken music machines.
His resume is fi lled with a whimsical assortment of professions: Styrofoam mold-maker, owner of a craft store and a baker for the opening of the Hotel Vancouver in 1939.
“I probably baked some buns for the Queen,” saidTitcomb, who also came close to becoming a pilot..
He’s been awarded for all of his volunteer work in the community. But even if he hadn’t been recognized, that wouldn’t change anything.
The two most important things to Titcomb are his beloved late wife, Ada and his volunteer work, which helped fi ll a void when she passed away from Alzheimer’s disease 18 years ago.
“This placed saved me, and it’s my home,” he said. The two were married in 1939, while the Lions Gate
Bridge was being built and he would take weekly pictures of its construction.
Volunteering has been a part of Titcomb’s life sincechildhood. His parents volunteered, and he and his wifewould always contribute their time in whatever way theycould.
“Every time I say I’m going to retire, all hell breaksloose,” he joked.
The District of West Vancouver will be celebrating its centennial next year; right along with one of the hardest-working men in the neighbourhood.
Senior does a lot of good in the ’hood
A22 - North Shore News - Sunday, April 10, 2011
Thank Youto our many
Volunteersat
North VancouverDetachment
If you would like to volunteer,
call Volunteer North Shore at 604-985-7138or visit us on-line today at www.nscr.bc.ca
NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY RESOURCESH O S T A G E N C Y O F
VOLUNTEER NORTH SHOREVOLUNTEER NORTH SHORE
THANK-YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING FROM:
Celebrating National Volunteer WeekVolunteer Week
APRIL 10-16, 2011To all the helping hands in our community
• A Place to Call Home
• Alzheimer Society of B.C. - North Shore Resource Centre
• Canadian Red Cross Society
• Capilano Community Services - Seniors’ Hub
• Eldercollege at Capilano University Continuing Education
• Harvest Project
• Lynn Valley Seniors Association
• North Shore Community Resources Society
• North Shore Neighbourhood House & John Braithwaite Community Centre
• North Vancouver Museum& Archives
• North Vancouver Recreation Commission
• Plea Community Services Society of BC - The KidStart Program
• Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre
• West Vancouver Community Services and Cultural Affairs
“A hand up, not a hand out. For North Shore residents, by North Shore residents.”
1073 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7P 1M4 | harvestproject.org
WITH National Volunteer Week around the corner, Volunteer Canada is hoping that more Canadians get on board and start donating their time.
It’s estimated that more than 12.5 million people currently volunteer across Canada. The purpose of National Volunteer Week, which runs April 10-16, is to pay tribute to the those who donate their time.
It was fi rst proclaimed in 1943 as an initiative to make the public more aware of the important role women played in the war effort at home. In the 1960s, the focus was broadened to
incorporate all community volunteers.The theme for this year’s campaign is passion,
action and impact — based on the individual volunteers across Canada who donate their time to making their communities a better place to live.
Every year in Canada, it’s estimated that Canadians spend 2.1 billion hours volunteering,the equivalent to 1.1 million full-time jobs.
A study out of Harvard University shows volunteering is a refl ection of social connectedness that’s strongly associated with the health of the people in a community.
THE Ambleside Youth Centre has been an important hub for the West Vancouver community since its doors opened in 1994 — and driving many of its operations is a team of dedicated youth volunteers.
One of those volunteers is Nicole Snowball, a senior
at West Vancouver secondary who plans to study biology at Dalhousie University in the fall. But until then, her extracurricular activities keep her busy. She helps organize events in Dundarave, including the Festival of Lights and Easter celebrations, and volunteers monthly with The Harvest Project along with other staff at the Ambleside Youth Centre who help make meals for the homeless.
Snowball’s classmate, Anitra Paris, also volunteers with The Harvest Project and is involved
in many school clubs.“I think that the idea of
volunteering or participatingin clubs has become more of a social thing, and my high school defi nitely encouragesthem,” said Paris.
Tamysn Loat is in her second year at Capilano University. When she isn’t studying, Loat works overnightat a bakery and is a volunteer at a crisis line , often attending classes on little sleep. For Loat, volunteering is a way to give
NEWS photo Cindy Goodman
WEST Vancouver secondary students Anitra Paris and Nicole Snowball volunteer with school clubs and help organize events with the Ambleside Youth Centre.
Girls have fun giving back
See Youth page 24
Sunday, April 10, 2011 - North Shore News - A23
In honour of Volunteer Week, we salute:Wendy, Hark, Gabriela, Karl, Maria, Jin, Janeth, Rafael, Terry, Joan, Margaret, Heein, Suji, Kelly, Dormie, William, Cindy, Elin,
Elisa, Jerico, Ravi, Nicole, Debbie, Zach and Yayoi.
Sunrise of Lynn Valley owes a great deal to its team ofSunrise of Lynn Valley owes a great deal to its team of volunteers who visit regularly and assist with variousvolunteers who visit regularly and assist with various
activities and programs throughout our home.activities and programs throughout our home.
Our ‘hats off’ also to the varied entertainment groups,Our ‘hats off’ also to the varied entertainment groups, health care professionals and members of our worshiphealth care professionals and members of our worship
community, specifically Father Jeremy and Father Frank,community, specifi cally Father Jeremy and Father Frank, who have shared their passions and talents with us.who have shared their passions and talents with us.
If you have an hour to spare throughout the week,If you have an hour to spare throughout the week, and would like to become involved in our Sunriseand would like to become involved in our Sunrise
home, please contact Sandra at 604-904-1226 for morehome, please contact Sandra at 604-904-1226 for more information and to apply.information and to apply.
SUNRISUNRISE OF LYNYNN VALLEALLEY
the place to volunteer
northvanrec.com604 987 PLAY (7529)
Impacting lives and building community!
THANK YOU to all our vibrant
and dynamic volunteers who share their talents and skills
and provide support to our participants and programs.
We truly appreciate the individual gifts you bring and the positive change
you make in our community.
For more information, call Meh @ 604-983-6417or email: [email protected]
Pre-Teen Leadership ProgramIf you are 11-13 years old, check out
our new leadership program.
Learn personal and leadership skills to be the best volunteer you can be!
Volunteer this summer!We are now recruiting for volunteers to help bring fun and learning to our
summer daycamps (minimum age 14).
NEW
NORTH SHORE CRISIS SERVICES SOCIETY119 - 255 West 1st Street, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3G8
604.987.0366 • Fax 604.987.1623
Thank You
to all of our Volunteers. We couldn’t do it without you.
FOR years, Wade Klimek has been silently making a name for himself through his volunteer work across the North Shore.
From working as a volunteer in the bakery at the former Capers Foods in West Vancouver to his current gig at the North Vancouver Salvation Army soup kitchen, the 20-year-old West Vancouver resident has been chasing his interest in food while helping the community at the same time.
Wade, who is autistic and unable to communicate verbally, has been able to achieve a sense of independence and enjoyment through his volunteer work, said his mother Sherry.
According to Sherry, the family has tried to foster an environment for Wade that would let him be independent in whatever way he could.
“You have to go with the positives, that’s a huge thing they tell you in autism, to work with the positives and don’t worry about the negatives because they’ll be there regardless,” she said.
And for Wade, that opportunity came with cooking.
“I’d sit him up on the counter and he’d mix things. So we started baking just for something to do and so he wasn’t always so engrossed in the TV,” his mother said.
Since then, Wade has successfully graduated from the Art Institute of Vancouver’s culinary program, while working at Whole Foods and The Keg Restaurant in West Vancouver. These days, he keeps busy volunteering in his community.
Mark Barrett, the athletics director at Handsworth secondary, initially met Wade when he was in university and took a summer job at the North Shore Disability Resource Centre that paired them up. Since then, he has continued to work and spend time with Wade.
“Wade is the type of person that would pay it forward and help others, partly because it is what has been modelled for him for so long,” said Barrett.
Wade won a West Vancouver Youth Appreciation Awards in 2008 for his work as a volunteer camp counsellor at the district’s recreation centre, and was a fi xture in the West Vancouver Recreation Centre Summer day camps program.
“He is a incredibly friendly with everyone he meets. Polite to a fault — he goes out of his way to thank anyone who helps him. He has an infectious laugh and can almost always be found smiling,” said Barrett.
NEWS photo Mike Wakefi eld
WADE Klimek, 20, volunteers at a soup kitchen for the North Vancouver Salvation Army. The West Vancouver man, who has autism, has donated his time to a number of restaurants and eateries across the North Shore.
West Vancouver youth fi nds independence in volunteering
A24 - North Shore News - Sunday, April 10, 2011
FSNS acknowledges the contribution of the Province
of British Columbia, City of North Vancouver, District of
North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver.
#101 •
255 West 1st Street
North Vancouver, BC V7M 3G8
tel 604 • 988 • 5281 fax 604 • 988 • 3961
www.familyservices.bc.ca
Family Services of the North Shore is an accredited not-for-profit community based agency that offers education, support and counselling services. We also lead the provincial work in eating disorders prevention. Family Services of the North Shore has been caring for the community for over 60 years. Our high-profile, proactive presence throughout the province connects the community through a variety of programs that create an environment for all families and individuals to thrive.
from the staff at Family Services
of the North Shore to our 289
compassionate volunteers who
gave a combined 16,080 hours to
our Agency and Foundation Boards,
Palliative and Hospice Care Programs,
Christmas Bureau, Advisory
Committees and Special Events.
back to the community.“What we get back from
volunteering is way more than what we give,” said Loat.
Having recently been accepted into the University of British Columbia’s social work program, her involvement with the Ambleside Youth Centre and other volunteer experiences has helped shape her career path.
“For me, volunteering at the youth centre gave me the opportunity to test out whether it was the right career path for me and because of my time here, I know it is,” she said.
Debbie Shaw, a youth outreach worker at the centre said the volunteers play an irreplaceable role. They are often able to empathize with the young people in a different way than the actual staff because they are in the same age bracket.
The Ambleside Youth Centre has an open door policy and encourages kids to drop in whenever they want. It offers one-on-one and group support and provides a place to hang out and chat. Gig nights give local bands a chance to play in front of an audience.
Volunteer
NEWS photo Mike Wakefi eld
CORENE Lane, owner of Shear Bliss Hair Studio in West Vancouver, regularly donates her services to organizations like North Shore Family Services, Harell Synagogue and The Harvest Project. She also does the hairstyling for an annual fashion show for the CH.I.L.D. Foundation, to support kids with intestinal and liver disorders. This year’s Fabulous Fashions and Gala Luncheon will be held Thursday, May 5, 11:30 a.m. at the Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings St., Vancouver. For tickets, $75, call 604-736-0645.
Locks of love
From page 22
Centre open to all youth
Sunday, April 10, 2011 - North Shore News - A25
NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY RESOURCES SOCIETY
It takes thousands of volunteers to keep community organizations flourishing. Since 1976 North Shore Community Resources, under various names, has been providing a volunteer information and referral service to residents on the North Shore. The Volunteer Action Centre opened its doors on June 2, 1976 with funding and support from two key partners, United Way and North Shore News.
United Way provided start up funding
to create the Volunteer Action Centre, as it was originally known, and the North Shore
News provided space in its paper to promote volunteer positions on a
weekly basis. The now named Volunteer North Shore centre is fortunate to still have United Way of the Lower Mainland and the North Shore News as community partners. This long standing support has
been greatly appreciated by individuals looking to do volunteer
service and community organizations
who utilize volunteers to deliver local programs.
Today there are over 200 agencies who work with Volunteer North Shore to list and promote their volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in leadership, events, research, education, arts, or other local activities, go to www.nscr.bc.ca and review the volunteer jobs webpage. Organizations depend on the skills and experience of volunteers to deliver programs and services. Whether it’s helping to organize a weekend run and festival, assisting a frail senior,
Organizations depend on
the skills and experience of
volunteers
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTSpotlight on Volunteers
KAY MEEK CENTRE - Volunteers bond the community
Kay Meek Centre’s success can be measured in many ways, but at the heart of it are the people who contribute the enduring qualities of passion, community, time and talent... they are our volunteers.
These are the people who work the frontline as greeters, ushers and ticket-takers—the people who put the “face” on Kay Meek Centre. They establish the welcoming atmosphere and sense of place creating the
hallmark experiences that are enjoyed by the thousands who visit our theatres.
Through the selfless gift of time, Kay Meek Centre’s volunteers create
a community within Kay Meek Centre and, as our friends and neighbours, they forge the bonds with the communitywe serve.
By their contributions, our volunteers instil a sense of
pride in their work, in themselves, and in Kay Meek Centre for what it
is and will be. Our volunteers are the vital team who come together, share together, work together and succeed together. During Volunteer Week, Kay Meek Centre offers a loud and sustained “bravo” to our volunteers who have helped to shape the Centre into what it is today.
“Volunteering can be an exciting, growing, enjoyable experience. It is truly gratifying to serve a cause, practice one’s ideals, work with people, solve problems, see benefits, and know one had a hand in them.”
Look behindthe success of
Kay Meek Centre and you will find our volunteers
or coaching a sports team so kids can stay healthy, the community needs your help. People interested in volunteering are encouraged to call 604-985-7138 and make an appointment to talk with a volunteer interviewer who will assist them in their search for the perfect volunteer position.
As National Volunteer Week begins North Shore Community Resources Society wishes to extend our thanks to the many North Shore residents who generously give their time, energy, and inspiration every day to make our community better.
Thank you!The North Shore Emergency Management Offi ce wishes to thank its volunteer teams for making
