So dedicated, it’s scary
Longtime volunteer holds special place in his heart for Boo at the Zoo
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/09/2024 (425 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Jordon Lanthier has a frightening amount of fun when he’s volunteering.
The 50-year-old is gearing up for Boo at the Zoo, the annual after-hours Halloween event. Lanthier usually stands near the entrance to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in full costume, greeting attendees as they enter.
“That’s what’s fun — making that first impression as people come in,” he says. “I sort of see myself as a ringmaster, inviting everyone into the show.”
The tourism professional has three different outfits he uses. One is a Charlie Chaplin costume, complete with hat, cane and a pocketful of daisies he presents to guests.
The other two costumes are skeleton-inspired — picture the disfigured musical genius from The Phantom of the Opera wearing a skeleton mask instead of a half-face mask.
Lanthier likes to stand still while wearing the skeleton mask so he can trick people into thinking he’s a statue. When the moment presents itself, he takes a step forward or says something to give guests a fright.
While the skeleton costume is meant to be eerie, it was irresistible for at least one attendee. Lanthier recalls the time a small boy ran up to him, hugged his leg and wouldn’t let go.
The boy’s father explained that he loves skeletons.
“I’m there to be this scary guy, and this boy’s hanging on to me like I’m Mickey Mouse,” Lanthier says. “I was crying under my mask because it was so cute.”
The importance of volunteering was instilled in Lanthier at a young age. When he was a child, his mother was the assistant general manager at the Viscount Gort Hotel in St. James. She and hotel manager Harvey Nairn, Lanthier’s godfather, taught him the value of getting involved in the community.
Lanthier remembers one December when his mother tasked him with fishing the coins out of the hotel’s fountain, drying them and rolling them so the hotel could donate the money to charity.
“I think it was my mom’s way of keeping me occupied over the Christmas holidays,” he says.
He followed his mother into the tourism industry and has worked at a number of hotels in the city. He is currently assistant director of operations at Thermëa.
“I was brought up to believe that in your business, you need to be asking yourself, ‘What are you doing to make your community better?’”
It simply makes sense for tourism professionals to volunteer so they can learn more about the city they’re promoting, Lanthier says.
He has volunteered with the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival for 18 years, helped with numerous sporting events — including two Grey Cups — and served on the boards at St. Amant, St. Paul’s College and Skål, an international organization of tourism leaders.
Lanthier delivers homemade baked goods to about 200 to 300 friends and colleagues at Christmas.
Boo at the Zoo holds a special place in his heart, and he’ll volunteer for around 15 shifts throughout October.
Lanthier says the Assiniboine Park is one of the crown jewels of the city and was one of his wife’s favourite places to visit before her untimely death 12 years ago.
He thinks about her when he’s volunteering at the zoo.
“I just know she’s looking down on me and saying, ‘You’re such a ham,’” he says.
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is trying to scare up volunteers for this year’s Boo at the Zoo, which takes place Oct. 4 to Oct. 31.
Organizers are promising a “bigger, better, spookier and more magical” event than ever before.
Go to http://wfp.to/CEt to get involved.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
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. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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, 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 www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The annual Winnipeg Street Census needs volunteers to administer the in-person survey. The census is scheduled for Nov. 6 to Nov. 9. Volunteers can choose shifts of two to three hours on any of the dates. There will be a mandatory two-hour orientation/training session the week of Oct. 5 to Oct. 11. Adults who are compassionate and caring can apply at http://wfp.to/Cge until Sept. 23.
The St. Boniface Hospital gift shop needs volunteers to greet customers, complete transactions and help with organizing. There are shifts during the day, on evenings and on weekends. Email sbghvolunteer@sbgh.mb.ca or call 204-237-2442 by Sept. 30.
The Manitoba Writers’ Guild needs a volunteer treasurer. Accounting knowledge, experience as a treasurer or finance officer or knowledge of QuickBooks are assets. Training will be provided. The treasurer works with the guild’s certified bookkeeper and website manager, and the board of directors. The treasurer will ensure all revenues are deposited into the guild’s bank account, arrange for an independent audit from an outside accounting firm, act as a signing officer, monitor financial operations, present the budget to the board and report report monthly to the board. Email president Sharon Hamilton at MWGPresident2023@gmail.com by Sept. 30.
Canadian Goodwill Industries needs volunteers to join its board of directors. Members help direct the course of strategic planning and offer advice and counsel to upper management. People who believe in the organization’s mission and have knowledge in business management, public relations, marketing, retail and strategic planning can apply at accounting@canadiangoodwill.ca, accounting@canadiangoodwill.ca or 204-943-6435 by Oct. 30.
Winnipeg Search and Rescue needs people with outdoor skills to help with support search calls, training, search-and-rescue prevention programs and support for community events. Many skill sets are needed to support the group, with the focus this year being people who are physically and mentally prepared to deal with the long hours and challenging conditions involved with wilderness and urban searches. Although search and rescue is the primary focus, there is always room for those who can support the group in other roles. Apply at http://wfp.to/Czl before Sept. 30.
Basketball Manitoba and the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association need head coaches and assistant coaches. Duties include teaching basketball skills and concepts at team practices and games with the support of the area convenor, and communicating with team members. Experience as a basketball player or coach or involvement as a coach in another sport is an asset. Education opportunities are provided. Games lasting one hour are typically held on weekends, with one or two weeknight practices of up to two hours each. Background checks are required, with costs reimbursed. Apply at wmba.ca, info@wmba.ca or 204-925-5774 by Oct. 1.
Buhler Gallery, located inside St. Boniface Hospital, needs ambassadors to help people access and enjoy it. Volunteers 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 by Oct. 1.
The Canadian Cancer Society needs volunteers for the CIBC Run for the Cure, which raises funds for innovative breast cancer research and support programs. Go to http://wfp.to/CMK to apply for opportunities for all ages. The deadline is Oct. 5.
Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre needs a facilitator with knowledge and experience in topics related to women and gender-diverse people. The centre offers a variety of workshops and events related to self-care, personal growth, mental health, physical health, art and educational topics, among others, each month. This opportunity is open to women and gender-diverse applicants. Email events@fgwrc.ca by Dec. 1.
Volunteers with a passion for nature are needed at FortWhyte Alive, which offers nearly 40 different guided school programs. Training is provided. Weekday availability is required. Contact Amber Reid at areid@fortwhyte.org or 204-989-8355 (ext. 213) by Jan. 30.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
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. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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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