Not playing around at helping out
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/03/2024 (732 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Manitoba Theatre for Young People opened its latest show Friday, and that means Heather Mann-O’Hara was working hard behind the scenes.
The Transcona resident has volunteered at the company, which stages professional productions for children and families, for more than two decades.
“It’s a lot of fun and a really great place to be,” she says.
SUPPLIED
Longtime Manitoba Theatre for Young People volunteer Heather Mann-O’Hara (second from right) with fellow helpers Sonia (from left), Tim, Anisha and Anu.
Twenty-four years ago, Mann-O’Hara was leading a Girl Guides group that decided to volunteer at MTYP. She enjoyed it so much that she’s kept going back ever since.
Mann-O’Hara now brings a group of people with her every time she volunteers. The group includes her mother, husband, daughter and many friends.
Located at The Forks Market, MTYP stages about six productions each year from September to April.
Mann-O’Hara’s group volunteers at the opening night performance of every production. They greet customers, help them with parking, take tickets and show people to their seats.
The group’s involvement over the years has led to Mann-O’Hara forming a friendship with Susan Bohn, front-of-house and facilities manager at MTYP.
“I adore Sue. She is a special lady,” Mann-O’Hara says. “Aside from getting to see Sue, I love that I can have a group of family and friends get together, volunteering and enjoying each other’s company.”
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to
volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to
volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Prairie Strides, a charitable organization that provides adaptive horse riding for children with disabilities, needs side-walkers, horse leaders and physio/occupational therapists for its 12-week spring session Monday evenings. Training is provided. Email exedir@prairiestrides.com by March 25, although applications are always welcome.
Accessible Sport Connection Manitoba needs volunteers to help at the Accessible Sport Expo in Niverville on March 30. People who are passionate about creating accessible and inclusive spaces are encouraged to join as are volunteers of all abilities. There are various roles to choose from. Help with ride-share transportation to the event is available. Email Kirby at mbaccessiblesport@gmail.com by March 27.
Borderline Personality Disorder Association Manitoba needs new directors to serve on its board and volunteers to help deliver its programs. The association was incorporated this year to support and improve the lives of people with the disorder and their families. People with knowledge of borderline personality disorder through lived experience; experience with loved ones; or related experience in mental health, social work, or therapy, can email info@bpdami.com by May 31.
The Link: Youth and Family Supports, a not-for profit organization providing service to more than 10,000 families in Manitoba, needs active, community-minded people to serve as board members. Consideration will be given to applicants who reflect the diversity of the program’s participants, including Indigenous people and visible minorities. Knowledge about the education system, a financial background and mental wellness are assets. Email helena.tessier@thelinkmb.ca or call 204-949-4785 by Sept. 30.
Ronald McDonald House Manitoba needs service-oriented, compassionate and reliable volunteers to fill volunteer positions at 62 Juno St. and in the family room at Health Sciences Centre. Volunteer shifts are available during the morning, afternoon and evening. Tasks might include baking and meal preparation, light housekeeping and organizing spaces and checking families in for their stay. Contact Kayla Verot at kayla@rmhmanitoba.org, go to wfp.to/j00 or call 204-774.4777, ext. 136, by Oct. 31.
Galerie Buhler Gallery, located inside St. Boniface Hospital, needs ambassador volunteers to help people access and enjoy it. Ambassadors welcome visitors, provide information about exhibitions, participate in orientations, meet artists and undertake various gallery tasks. Email sbghvolunteer@sbgh.mb.ca or call 204-237-2442.
St. Boniface Hospital’s patient and family advisory council needs new members and is seeking former patients or family of former patients. Email sbghvolunteer@sbgh.mb.ca or call 204-237-2442 by April 8, although applications are always welcome.
MS Canada needs volunteers for the MS Walk Winnipeg at Kildonan Park at 11 a.m. on May 26. The community-driven event aims to bring together people living with or affected by MS, along with supporters who share the vision of a world free of MS. Various roles and shifts are available. Apply at wfp.to/j1s by May 24 or email karyn.heidrick@mscanada.ca for more information.
Mann-O’Hara says one of her favourite memories from MTYP is when she played a practical joke on Bohn years ago.
Mann-O’Hara got everyone in her group to switch name tags. As Bohn was going over the instructions for that evening’s performance, she kept looking up at people, seeing the wrong name tags, pausing and then carrying on.
After a few double takes, Bohn finally asked the group what was going on.
“We all had a good laugh,” Mann-O’Hara recalls. “That was a fun moment.”
MTYP and Girl Guides are only two of the places Mann-O’Hara has volunteered over the years.
The federal government employee also volunteers with Madox’s Warriors, which raises funds for child brain cancer research. Mann-O’Hara has also volunteered for more than 20 years with the CIBC Run for the Cure, and more than 20 years with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s fundraising bike rides and walks.
“No one can do it by themselves. It takes a team effort to make it all happen,” she says of her interest in volunteering.
“I like being able to contribute to our community for very meaningful events, as well as bring family and friends to volunteer with me. That makes it even more fun. Besides, it is a great opportunity to get out and about and be a part of what is going on in the city.”
MTYP’s latest production, Tetris, is on now until Sunday. Based on the popular puzzle video game, it’s an interactive production about how everyone fits together.
The company relies on volunteers such as Mann-O’Hara and her family to help with a variety of duties. Volunteer shifts are approximately two to three hours in length.
Anyone interested in getting involved can email sbohn@mtyp.ca for details.
If you know a special volunteer, email 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.
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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