Volunteer Profiles

Frank P.

Frank came to Winnipeg one frosty January morning by train from Toronto with high expectations. He had just received a promotion to the position of Manager of Citizenship Court in Winnipeg and was looking forward to the challenge. As the train neared the City, Frank was amazed to see fog in the air. He was further taken aback when a fellow traveller stated, "That's not fog, it's ice crystals!" He had never heard or seen such a thing! Well that didn't deter Frank. By the time he retired from his job in 1997, Winnipeg had become his home and he would not dream of leaving the community to go back to Ontario. But Frank needed something to do with his time now that he wasn't working, and so began his volunteer career.

Frank began to volunteer with the Volunteer Centre of Winnipeg, working with the referral program. A database is kept of current volunteer opportunities throughout the city and Frank would meet with individuals and guide them towards a position or organization based upon their needs and motivation for volunteer work. One day he received a request for bartenders and servers at Deer Lodge Centre. Since he always had the desire to be a bartender but never had the chance, he thought this was a golden opportunity and applied for the position himself. Since that faithful day, Frank has become a fixture in Chad's Place on Saturday afternoons. Not long after he began, Frank adopted a French poodle named Teddy Bear, who began to tag along for a visit. Frank and Teddy have established camaraderie with residents, patients, families, staff and fellow volunteers. Frank enjoys being able to serve people and lighten their day. Thank-you Frank for your involvement in "making lives better".