‘This is my passion’
Kenyan native honoured for five decades of community service
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/04/2019 (2545 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
When Nimmi Ramgotra came to Canada nearly 50 years ago, she started volunteering almost immediately.
Ramgotra, who was born in Nairobi, Kenya, has made countless contributions to the community since arriving in Winnipeg in 1970.
The 76-year-old Southdale resident established the first Gurudwara, a place of worship for the Sikh community. She worked as a volunteer for the Winnipeg Police Service, advocating and translating for community members who were suffering from domestic violence.
Ramgotra has assisted newcomers with employment, education and housing; helped those diagnosed with cancer navigate the health-care system and access transportation to get treatment; and she is a key co-ordinator for the Punjab Pavilion at Folklorama.
She loves volunteering because she loves people.
“This is my passion,” Ramgotra says. “We all should care for each other and try to help people.”
Ramgotra’s work was celebrated earlier this month when she received a Lieutenant Governor’s Make a Difference Community Award at the 36th Annual Volunteer Awards.
Presented by Volunteer Manitoba on April 11 at Club Regent Event Centre, the awards recognized more than 30 outstanding volunteers from across the province.
“I was really humbled,” Ramgotra says. “I don’t have the words. It was really an honour.”
Brent Rosnoski feels the same way.
The 58-year-old Brandon resident received the CTV Champion of Mental Health Volunteer Award in recognition of his volunteer commitment to the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM).
“I didn’t even know I’d been nominated for it until they phoned me and told me I won it,” Rosnoski says. “It’s a great honour, but I’m very humbled by it.”
“I believe there’s a responsibility that comes with this award, and I respect that responsibility,” he says.
“If we are given a little bit of limelight, there’s a responsibility to speak out and support the cause.”
Rosnoski, who lives with bipolar disorder, first got involved with MDAM as a client.
Today, he facilitates peer-support groups, assists with educational presentations and participates in community outreach.
“It’s fantastic to be able to share stories with other people that are going through the same thing you are,” Rosnoski says.
“When we live with mental illness, we have to build a team of support, and the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba has become an important part of my team. It reminds you to do the things you need to do to live well.”
Rosnoski is passionate about working for mental wellness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health illness.
“I have to thank CTV for sponsoring that award because I think it’s really important to keep (mental health) front and centre,” he says.
“There are people living with mental disorders, but we can live well in the community.”
Like Rosnoski, Ramgotra uses her platform to encourage others.
Her volunteer efforts are ongoing. Last year, she raised $12,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society and, this year, she has already raised $3,000.
“I would like to tell everybody that they should help each other,” Ramgotra says. “Love everybody, because God is good.”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Volunteer Opportunities
THE following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The Winakwa Community Garden needs a few volunteers to dig out some in-ground garden beds this Saturday. If you love the outdoors, getting dirty and helping your community, they could use your help. To find out how to volunteer, email winakwagardens@gmail.com.
The West Central Women’s Resource Centre is seeking a volunteer facilitator for its English Conversation Circle program. The facilitator will provide educational assistance to a group of 15 to 20 adult participants to improve their English conversation skills. Shifts are Saturdays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., starting immediately. For more info, contact the volunteer and events co-ordinator at 204-774-8975, ext. 224, or email volunteering@wcwrc.ca.
The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is happening June 13 at Assiniboine Park, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Volunteers are needed to provide direction along the route. The Alzheimer Society offers programs to help people living with dementia. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Nerriza Bautista at 204-943-6622 or nbautista@alzheimer.mb.ca, or go to alzheimer.mb.ca.
Leading up to and throughout the 2020 provincial election campaign, Disability Matters Vote 2020 is seeking an organized communications assistant who will help engage the disabilities sector in a public-facing campaign focused on advancing disability advocacy priorities. The ideal volunteer will hold a degree or diploma in communications and be a persuasive and engaging writer who can meet deadlines. For more info, contact Toby McCrae at 204-256-4301 ext. 2356.
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is seeking 150 volunteers to fill a variety of roles in the park and zoo as the summer season approaches. For more info, or to apply, go to assiniboinepark.ca/volunteers or email volunteer@assiniboinepark.ca.
The Canadian Red Cross is looking for people to join its team of dedicated volunteers who are prepared to help people impacted by disasters such as forest fires and floods. For more information, go to redcross.ca, call 204-982-7330 or email vrs@redcross.ca.
St-Labre 200 is an annual fundraiser near Steinbach. If you enjoy the outdoors, adrenalin, a family atmosphere, giving back to the community and a bit of dust, your help is needed. A variety of volunteer positions need to be filled. To find out how you can volunteer on July 5 and 6, go to stlabre200.ca/wp/volunteer or call 1-204-429-3241.
The Pride Winnipeg Festival celebrates diversity and safe spaces in our communities. The festival is only successful with the support of the many volunteers who donate their time and energy every year. Interested in volunteering?
Go to pridewinnipeg.com or email hr@pridewinnipeg.com.
Jazz Winnipeg is accepting applications for the 30th TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival this June 18-23. With more than 300 dedicated volunteers, the festival fosters an environment for professional development opportunities and community building. For more info, email Alexa Potashnik at alexa@jazzwinnipeg.com.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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