‘I get to do so much’
95-year-old happy to help others in nursing home
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Emily Kosack walks at Holy Family nursing home every day from 2-3 p.m.
She covers a distance of nearly four kilometres on her daily rounds, a broad smile on her face as she greets residents, staff and visitors.
Although she recently injured a hip, Kosack is still able to stroll swiftly, thanks to her red walking aid, which she playfully refers to as her “boyfriend.”
“It’s the best kind of boyfriend,” she says with a twinkle in her eye, dissolving into giggles she continues ‘”the kind of boyfriend who doesn’t talk back.”
At 95, Kosack has the disposition of a woman half her age.
At times she sounds positively girlish, her voice trilling with joy when she shares stories of her early days as a volunteer. One of her favourite jobs was selling tickets for the numerous fundraisers the nursing home used to hold.
“We did so much back then,” she says.
“The parties we used to have and the money we used to raise; it was something else. I loved to sell tickets — you name it, I used to sell tickets to it. Even now, if I go to the store, some people, when they see me, they put their hand in their pocket and say, ‘What are you selling?’ .
This year marks her 34th year volunteering at Holy Family; she started in 1992, when visiting her late mother Margaret, who was a resident at the nursing home.
“I used to look after her and feed her. I figured as I was feeding my mother, I would also feed some of the other residents,” she explains. “It just came naturally to me, it was no problem. I just enjoy doing things for people.”
It became a regular activity and, before long, she was helping out with other tasks.
“I think I did everything here. I started with adult daycare. Whoever needed to go anywhere, they would ask me and I would do it,” she says. “Back then we used to take people by taxi to the hospitals, I would volunteer to take them, sit with them and bring them back.”
The children of the people Kosack has spent time with frequently send cards and letters thanking her for the tender care she shows their parents.
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 wfp.to/volunteers 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 wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180.
St. Boniface Hospital is recruiting volunteers for its Art at the Bedside program. This position is responsible for encouraging patients to take part in a creative art activity, and by providing materials and an explanation of the project so the patient understands the project’s parameters. Volunteers (ages 16-plus) will be trained by professional artists. No art experience needed, but all volunteers must be comfortable entering medical units, approaching patients in their room and offering an activity and conversation. Apply online at wfp.to/inp or call 204-237-2442. Deadline is April 10.
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is seeking volunteers to fill a variety of roles in preparation for the summer. Flexible scheduling and comprehensive training is offered. Volunteers will be trained at the park, the zoo or The Leaf and can take shifts at their preferred location. Must be 14 or older. Opportunities for adult volunteers include ambassadors, engagement ambassadors, visitor services concierge, special events assistants, and facilities and grounds support. Youth ages 14 to 18 are encouraged to apply for the zoo camp crew, zoo teen ambassador roles or special conservation roles. Volunteers are asked to make a long-term commitment. A minimum commitment of 60 hours for adults and 40 hours for teens is required per year. Visit wfp.to/icW to apply before May 31.
Mount Carmel Clinic requires volunteers for the clinic host support role. Responsibilities include cleaning and sanitizing the waiting area and greeting visitors while providing information about the clinic’s facilities. Volunteers assist staff during peak times with tasks like transferring supplies and restocking shelves. They are not involved in medical or security issues. Volunteers must commit to at least 100 hours over six to 12 months, with flexible weekly shifts. Orientation lasts 3 to 3.5 hours, and volunteers should be available for at least three shifts per month. Apply online at wfp.to/ici. Deadline is March 30.
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is seeking BrainWAVE parent or caregiver volunteers who are at least one year beyond their child’s active treatment. Your voice can make a difference. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child (19 years of age or younger) who is currently facing, or has previously faced, a brain tumour diagnosis, your experiences and insights are essential to shaping programs that support families. The commitment is five to seven hours monthly, with more meetings as events near. Apply online at wfp.to/iaP. Deadline is July 30.
The Equal Housing Initiative needs volunteer drivers for their EHI Nutrition program. Volunteers play an important role in collecting and transporting surplus food donations to the Selkirk House, where the food is prepared and distributed. Responsibilities include picking up donated food, assisting with unloading, and ensuring safe transport. Volunteers need a valid Manitoba class 5 driver’s licence, a reliable vehicle, and the ability to lift boxes up to 40 pounds. The position requires a commitment of five to eight hours per week. Apply by email: volunteer@equalhousinginitiative.com. Deadline is March 30.
The Valley Gardens Community Centre is looking for Mini Soccer coaches for the TimBits program. Duties include setting up equipment, creating drills, monitoring players, and providing tailored guidance. Before May, coaches can train and must complete a grassroots coaching course and a Respect in Sport online course. Required skills include organization and teamwork; experience is welcomed but not necessary, as training is provided. This role offers leadership and community service experience for those 16 and over. Evening and weekend availability is needed, with required police and child abuse registry checks reimbursed. Apply by email: vgcc@shaw.ca. Deadline is April 20.
KidSport Manitoba is seeking to create a pool of volunteers to support community outreach and fundraising efforts throughout the year. Volunteers represent KidSport at local events, assist with event logistics, and help raise awareness and funds to support access to sport for Manitoba children. There are opportunities for all ages with a wide variety of times and locations available. Apply online: wfp.to/ic9. Deadline is April 15.
Challenger Baseball Manitoba seeks volunteer baseball buddies. They will provide on-field support to children, youth, and adults with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. No baseball experience is needed — just patience and a willingness to have fun and be supportive. Hours are Saturdays at 10 a.m. from May to June. Email: challengerMBbuddies@gmail.com by May 2.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Apply at wfp.to/0pE, volunteer@redcross.ca or 1-844-818-2155.
After her mother died, Kosack moved into the facility which, at the time, was open to those aged 55-plus.
But even before she moved in, Kosack was there daily. She missed a couple of weeks only when away on vacation.
Her desire to be of help can be traced back to a childhood growing up on a farm, where everyone in the family had to pitch in.
“It’s just something I grew up doing,” she says. “It’s got to be in you to do it. I don’t know how else to say it. It just is in me to do it.”
Keeping busy is important and essential for her; she can’t abide the thought of sitting in her room “doing nothing.”
Not even the COVID-19 pandemic could stop her from offering her time.
“You have to be busy, you have to do something, so I was delivering food to people in the building because nobody could come to the dining room to eat,” she says.
“So I would pick up the food from the lobby and take it to the rooms.”
Kosack says she is not able to do as much as she’d like to.
“I can’t do too much because I’ve hurt my hip, but I still try to help. It bothers me but I do what I can do. I can still feed people, I can still help with bingo,” she says, referring to the daily games organized by the women’s auxiliary. She’s a member of that group.
A regular social butterfly, Kosack rarely turns down the chance to attend gatherings at the home.
Last Christmas she went to 13 different parties at Holy Family, singing with other residents. She says she’s looking forward to singing again this Easter.
She’ll also be busy whipping up cinnamon rolls, cakes and cookies for the home’s bake sale on May 7.
Kosack says she’s determined to volunteer as long as she is physically able.
“It makes me feel good to be able to help people, to see the smile on their faces. Coming to live at Holy Family is the best move I ever made in my life. They let me get involved here, I get to do so much. I feel happy; it is a blessing for me to be here.”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact AV.Kitching@freepress.mb.ca
AV Kitching is an arts and life writer at the Free Press. She has been a journalist for more than two decades and has worked across three continents writing about people, travel, food, and fashion. Read more about AV.
Every piece of reporting AV 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.
AV Kitching is an arts and life writer at the Free Press. She has been a journalist for more than two decades and has worked across three continents writing about people, travel, food, and fashion. Read more about AV.
Every piece of reporting AV 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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