National Volunteer
Appreciation week runs
from April 27 - May 3
this year. Unison is a
community that thrives
when volunteers donate
their time to help us, and
we are certifi ably and extravagantly lucky thanks
to the number of volunteers that are in the building at any given time.
Our volunteers work
hard to make sure the
older adults who visit Unison stay healthy
and connected, and get
the help they need. I’m
proud to say that they’re
the heartbeat of our organization. We are incredibly fortunate to have
individuals and groups
step up and support our
programs like the Free
Tax Clinic at the Unison Kerby Centre, and
Meals on Wheels at the
Unison Veiner Centre.
Volunteering is about
more than donating your
time. It’s about making
an impact. At Unison,
volunteers create connections to the community, and sometimes
even save lives. One
client from the Meals
on Wheels program at
the Unison Veiner Centre was rescued from
a downward spiral of
loneliness that made her
lose her apetite, which
was impacting her overall health. When our volunteers began delivering
regular meals, they also
provided food and health
support, and the socialization the gradually
improved her health,
mood, and ability to
start taking care of herself again. This client’s
family reached out to
share her appreciation,
saying it saved her mom.
The mission is simple, yet profound. We
have heard time and
again what a diff erence
our volunteers make,
and it’s a moment of
pride for us to know
that we have provided
a means for people to
have such an impact.
The free tax clinic
at Unison Kerby is no
exception. This annual
operation is entirely run
by volunteers who take
hundreds of clients and
help them learn about
the diff erent benefi ts
available to them. I overheard one client talking
on the phone who said
they were receiving a
$300 rebate after they
were signed up for their
senior’s benefi ts. They
weren’t aware they qualifi ed, but our knowledgeable and attentive volunteers plugged this client
into a system that’s often
confusing, saving them
the hassle, and ostensibly pulling them a bit
farther out of poverty.
Volunteers are more
than just helpers. They
are an integral part of
the fabric that unites
us in our mission to
help older adults live
their best lives. Their
time, compassion, and
tireless eff orts help our
community feel seen
and heard, fed and
healthy, and with more
money in their pocket.
