Volunteers 26

While completing a BA in Global Studies at Ryerson University, Jaskaran Gill began volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross in September 2013. When the chance to volunteer with the First Contact Program came up, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

Significant rainfall this past week in Saskatchewan and Manitoba has resulted in flooding in several towns and communities, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their home. In Manitoba, more flood waters are expected to come from the west in the coming days.

For Canadian Red Cross volunteer Florence Barron, 76, running and swimming keep her physically healthy while giving her free time to volunteering keeps her mentally healthy. Florence has been volunteering for the past 50 years, recently receiving the Order of the Red Cross.

As the Alberta Flood anniversary approaches, we at Red Cross are naturally focused on the work still ahead of us. That’s because we know hundreds of families are still struggling to recover.  Even now, people arrive at our offices with heartbreaking stories. Often, their financial credit is maxed out and they don’t know where else to turn. In the midst of this need, it can be tough to take time to recognize everything that’s already been accomplished during the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Flood response. But of course, that’s equally important. So today, Red Cross says a special thank you to all the staff and volunteers who work so hard to help others.

At this year's Annual Volunteer Appreciation event, the Woodstock Branch recognized Conny Schuurman with 25 years of voluntary service as a driver with the Canadian Red Cross Transportation Program.

Debbie Smith, Donna Doak and Sharon McDougall are Red Cross disaster response volunteers from Brockville who have been volunteering their time to help those who have been evacuated from their homes in northern Ontario due to flooding.

Rose Thompson, a volunteer with the London branch, knows how to throw a party. Last summer, the White Oaks Walmart store in London exceeded its Red Cross fundraising goal, due in large part, to Rose’s efforts.

Sirens piercing, phones ringing, and voices shouting above the din. People rushing in and out of chaos – hyper-focused on the urgency of their tasks. Enter Donald Bourne – an emergency response senior advisor for the Red Cross – who thrives in crisis situations. Bourne has worked on everything from fires and floods in Alberta to conflict zones and disasters around the world.