Symphony of support
Volunteer committee has raised funds, promoted orchestra awareness since 1948
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/02/2025 (294 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Susan Richardson, Arlene Skull and Paul R.J. McCulloch all have fond childhood memories of seeing the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra perform.
“My father played many instruments and he would take us to Sunday afternoon concerts,” Richardson recalls.
“My dad took me when I was eight and I was just enthralled,” adds Skull.
“The world class musicianship (and) the beauty of the music … connected with me at a very young age,” McCulloch says. “I’d studied music at school and to hear it performed by a symphony orchestra — of course there’s nothing like it.”
Their passion continues today and inspires their involvement with the volunteer committee for the WSO, which has been supporting the orchestra for more than 75 years.
The group was founded as the women’s committee of the WSO in 1948, the same year the orchestra performed its first concert.
The committee is independent from the WSO and has its own board of directors. In May 2022, it changed its name in part to appeal to a younger audience.
Today, the committee has more than 50 members who raise funds for the WSO, promote the orchestra and support its community outreach and educational programs.
Last year, the committee raised $15,000 for the WSO. Members hope to get that number back up this year to the pre-pandemic figure of more than $40,000.
Upcoming fundraising activities include a St. Patrick’s Day raffle and a gala luncheon on March 4 at the Winnipeg Winter Club.
Skull joined the committee after she retired from her career in education in 2018, and currently serves as president.
“Music and the arts is so important,” she says. “It just seemed like a natural thing for me to be involved with.”
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 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.
Block Parents of Winnipeg needs a treasurer for its board of directors. The position involves about two hours per month and delivering a report at monthly board meetings (excluding July, August and December.) The treasurer conducts all financial affairs (primarily payroll and monthly reconciliation of bill payments), maintaining and reporting on financial records, guiding the board in preparing the annual budget and planning documents, and preparing all necessary financial governmental forms. The volunteer is required to be a Block Parent in good standing, which will require background checks at no cost. Apply at bppw@mymts.net or 204-284-7562 by Feb. 21.
The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba needs public representatives to fill vacancies on a committee for terms starting this summer. The committee is responsible for investigating complaints about the conduct of registered nurses and, when appropriate, attempting to resolve them informally. Send a resumé and cover letter to appointments@crnm.mb.ca by Feb. 21.
The West End Resource Centre needs a volunteer to oversee its Best Years Seniors Club. The role involves planning engaging activities with the community programs supervisor and creating a welcoming environment for seniors to connect. The facilitator will work with staff members and guest speakers to ensure informative and enjoyable sessions. Strong interpersonal skills and a friendly attitude are essential. The commitment meets Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Apply at chris-a@westendresourcecentre.org or 204-202-6932 (ext. 117) by Feb. 28.
Volunteers are needed for Freeze Frame’s International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages, which is happening March 9 to March 15 at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain. Roles include ushering attendees to film screenings and workshops, helping with box office sales and school booking reservations, setting up media zone displays and supporting various workshops. Volunteers should be proficient in English and/or French, have excellent communication skills and demonstrate punctuality and organizational abilities. The festival offers flexible shifts. Email volunteers@freezeframeonline.org by March 1.
Festival du Voyageur needs volunteers to help create unforgettable memories at Manitoba’s largest winter celebration, which is happening from Feb. 14 to Feb. 23 at Whittier Park. Apply at wfp.to/AaH by Feb. 10.
Shelter Movers — a national charity providing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs move co-ordinators, who work remotely to plan and co-ordinate the details of a move and provide on-call support that day. Must be 18 or older. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by Feb. 15.
The Bike Dump needs volunteers for bicycle repair, stripping parts from unrepairable bikes and assembling bikes to sell. Volunteers will work under a senior mechanic, needing only basic hand tool skills and a willingness to learn. A meeting will be held to discuss times and logistics. The shift will be either from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Email winnipegbikedump@gmail.com by May 1.
Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer needs board members. The grassroots organization holds monthly meetings via Teams. Apply at wfp.to/Cbj or info@helpinghands4mbwbc.com by June 30.
Siloam Mission needs a massage therapist to provide essential service to people in need, helping alleviate stress, improve well-being and enhance the overall experience of those it serves. Flexible scheduling is available, and volunteers of all skill levels are encouraged to apply. Apply at wfp.to/ADa by July 10.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Richardson retired from a career with the federal government in 2008 and started volunteering three years later as a way to maintain contact with former colleagues who were involved with the committee.
She runs the Music Stand, the fundraising boutique at WSO concerts that sells an array of items including CDs, clothing and giftware.
“I love the camaraderie of it,” Richardson says. “I like the sense of belonging. And I like trying to raise as much money as we can raise.”
McCulloch grew up attending committee events and was one of its first male volunteers when he joined in 2018. At 32, he’s among its youngest members.
The federal employee maintains the committee’s Facebook page, which was a key way to connect with members, communicate with WSO supporters and promote the orchestra’s activities during the pandemic.
“I really enjoy getting to be part of this organization’s initiatives and spreading the word,” McCulloch says. “It’s a very lively group of people, very engaging, so it’s a fun group to be a part of.”
The WSO appreciates the committee’s work, says Angela Birdsell, WSO executive director.
She notes the WSO has volunteers involved with many aspects of its own operations, from greeting patrons to selling subscriptions.
“It’s really great to see people coming out and contributing their time this way,” Birdsell says.
The Volunteer Committee for the WSO welcomes new members. Anyone interested can fill out an application form online at wso.ca/volunteer-committee or email arleneskull@gmail.com.
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.
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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