Personal loss spurred work with book market

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LINDA VERMETTE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS For co-ordinator and board member Carol Irving, work with the Children�s Hospital Book Market runs in the family.

"When (my cousin) died, my aunt was advised that she needed to become involved in something involving children," explained Irving. "She was really one of the driving forces. She felt very strongly about Book Market. She wanted to find a cure for cancer so she wanted her family to be involved."

A volunteer for more than 25 years now, Irving sits on the Book Market board of directors and serves as the Book Market co-ordinator. She said nearly 100 volunteers work year-round sorting and pricing donated books. At the sales it takes more than 400 event volunteers to make it all happen. But all that work and the co-ordination are worth it -- Irving said that last year the organization was able to donate more than $329,000 to the Children's Hospital from the three book sales -- a new record. That money helps to fund research in addition to purchasing items and equipment needed by the hospital to enhance patient care.

"It goes back to the original people who started this -- they built a wonderful foundation and it has just expanded and grown from there," said Irving.

Pensy Chan and Cheryl Walker have both been part of that foundation for more than 20 years. They now co-chair the two annual paperback sales. Chan came on board after learning about the care her friend's son had received from renowned medical staff at the Children's Hospital. She wanted to ensure that research was being done to provide expert care to future patients.

"The work that is being done and the funds that we are providing to the hospital so that they can help kids -- it's just so important," said Chan, a computer programmer.

Walker knows first-hand where those funds go. She trained as a nurse at the Children's Hospital in the 1960's and later worked at the facility.

"It grew out of a love for children and the Children's Hospital itself," Walker said of why she became involved. "There's been a lot of excellent research come out of Winnipeg and Children's Hospital. I don't think the Joe Q. Public has an idea of how much world-class research has come out of Winnipeg. It has to be funded -- the money has to come from somewhere. Everything we earn goes back into that."

The Children's Hospital Book Market is currently in need of donations for its largest annual sale April 24-May 1 at St. Vital Centre. Donations may be dropped off at any Winnipeg Fire Hall, Dufrense Furniture or Salisbury House location.

If you would like to become a volunteer with the Children's Hospital Book Market please call 783-1125. You can also find more information online at www.goodbear.mb.ca.

If you know a special volunteer who strives to make our community a better place to live please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@shaw.ca.

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities advertised in the Winnipeg area. For more information about these listings, please contact the person/organization directly. You may also call (204) 477-5180 ext. 221 to set up an appointment to see an interviewer at Volunteer Manitoba. Email: vmreferral@mts.net or visit our website: www.mbvolunteer.ca for other available volunteer opportunities.

"ö Winnipeg School Division, Adult English as an Additional Language (EAL) program requires volunteers on Wednesday (700 Elgin Ave.) and Thursday (1600 Grant Ave.) mornings 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. to assist adult language learners until mid-June. Volunteers, working under the direction of the classroom teacher, will assist in group work activities. Information: http://eal.wsd1.org or hrempel@wsd1.org.

"ö Beacon Hill Lodge in downtown Winnipeg needs gift-shop assistants to sell snacks and toiletries to residents, staff and visitors. Call Stacey, 942-7541 or stacy.blazina@reveraliving.com.

"ö Manitoba Schizophrenia Society requires volunteers to help with mailouts which are sent eight times a year and include newsletters and information about upcoming fundraising events. Call Sangeetha at 786-1616 or email info@mss.mb.ca. They also need members for their 14th annual Iris Gala Planning committee, which meets once a week, and help on May 8, the day of the event. Information: Loreen, 786-1616 or specialevents@mss.mb.ca.

"ö Winnipeg Children's Access Agency is a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to facilitate contact between children and their family members in a safe, neutral and child-focused environment. WCAA is looking for volunteers to act as visitation monitors who supervise on-site visitations between non-custodial parties and their children. Application deadline March 8. Training begins March 22. Call Donna, 284-4170 or www.wcaavolunteers@mts.net.

"ö The Lung Association, Manitoba requires volunteers for our upcoming Breath of Spring Tulip Days Campaign which takes place Sunday, Feb. 21-March 7. We have a variety of positions available including packing tulips, drivers for corporate deliveries and selling tulips. Information: Ron, 774-5501 ext. 229, ron.east@mb.lung.ca or www.mb.lung.ca.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 16, 2010 B7