Taking to volunteerism like a duck to water

Manitoba woman celebrates 25 years with Ducks Unlimited Canada

Volunteers
By: AV Kitching Posted: 5:50 AM CDT Sunday, May. 31, 2026 Last Modified: 6:26 AM CDT Monday, Jun. 1, 2026 | Updates

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Nicole DePauw has volunteered with Ducks Unlimited Canada for 25 years, as treasurer for the provincial council and Tourond Creek committee.

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Nicole DePauw has volunteered with Ducks Unlimited Canada for 25 years, as treasurer for the provincial council and Tourond Creek committee.

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Nicole DePauw has volunteered with Ducks Unlimited Canada for 25 years, as treasurer for the provincial council and Tourond Creek committee.

She was recently named the organization’s Manitoba’s Volunteer of the Year for her commitment. The non-profit works with governments, landowners and Indigenous communities to conserve and restore wetlands to ensure there is clean water and a healthy environment for waterfowl, wildlife and people.

She trains new volunteers who take up treasurer positions in local chapters by introducing them to the protocols and systems used by the organization.

Nicole DePauw has been volunteering with Ducks Unlimited Canada for more than 25 years, following in her parents’ footsteps. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

As volunteer treasurer, DePauw manages the finances of the national body, which is headquartered at Oak Hammock Marsh near Stonewall, and organizes annual fundraising events for her local chapter, Tourond Creek.

While DUC receives a number of grants from governments and provincial bodies, the money is earmarked for specific initiatives such as habitat conservation, research and education programming.

“The funds we raise can be used for whatever (the non-profit) needs. It’s not tied to specific projects. Funds go towards paying the hydro bill in the Wetland Discovery Centre or the salary of the researchers. It’s for important things that need to be done which people don’t often consider. It’s money to keep things going,” the 51-year-old says.

DePauw’s volunteer work isn’t just confined to the desk. She’s also on the floor during her chapter’s annual fundraising banquet, collaborating with a team of volunteers to ensure everything runs smoothly during the raffle and at dinner.

“We have a whole team running our Tourond Creek banquet; nobody does any of this by themselves. And it’s a lot of fun working together to organize this. That’s the big thing about volunteering; it needs to be fun or you don’t want to do it. So we make sure we have a good time, we have a lot of laughs,” she says.

There have been a number of challenging times during DePauw’s volunteering career, but none made as much of an impact as last year’s Canada Post strikes when she had to hand-deliver approximately 300 calendars that were sold as part of a fundraising campaign.

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.

Lakewood Children’s Centre Inc. is looking for a knitting & crochet club organizer to plan and lead the weekly club meeting. Volunteers will assist beginners with basic knitting and crochet techniques, encourage creativity and participation and create a fun, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere. ‘Commit to Kids’ training is required for all volunteers. Weekly commitment for 10 weeks required. Fridays (July 3 to Aug. 28), times can be negotiated between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Apply by email: schoolage@lakewoodcc.ca. Deadline is June 15.

Kildonan MCC Thrift Shop requires volunteers to help process clothing. Volunteers will sort and hang women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing onto racks and prepare and price clothing. An eye and appreciation for fashion as well as an ability to stand for long periods of time are needed. Shifts are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Apply online at: wfp.to/iMP. Deadline is July 31.

Palliative Manitoba are searching for individuals for its board of directors. The Palliative Manitoba Board is responsible for the governance of the organization. Board meetings take place in-person, approximately six evenings per year. Board members are expcted to serve on a sub-committee that typically meet in the early evening. The organization seeks board members with experience with one or more of: human resource management, communication skills (social media, web development), grant writing and finance. Please send expressions of interest, including a cover letter and resume by email: kyurkiw@palliativemanitoba.ca. Deadline is Sept. 1.

Do you have the technical knowledge and leadership skills to guide the Manitoba Genealogical Society’s digital systems? The genealogical society is looking for a volunteer director of IT to oversee its website, online tools, data systems and future technology needs. This role is ideal for someone with experience in web management, e-commerce platforms, databases, and strategic planning. Help lead the technology that supports research, communication, and connection in our community. Apply online: mbgenealogy.com. Deadline is June 15.

Villa Cabrini seeks supper program volunteers to assist with meal service under the supervision of the meal program coordinator. Volunteers will serve food and beverages to guests as well as selling meal tickets, setting up tables, clearing tables and delivering meals. Flexible hours available: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Two- or three-hour shifts available. Apply by email: vcabrini@mymts.net. Deadline is Sept. 2.

Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. seeks volunteers for Happy Days on Henderson on June 13, Elmwood’s biggest community event. Volunteer to enhance your skills in event logistics, hospitality, and customer service while making a positive impact in the community. Many roles are available from water or food station attendants, to face painting or bike valet, as well as setup and takedown. Apply online: wfp.to/ia6 or call 204-669-0750 for more information. Deadline is June 8.

Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc. is looking for a creative individual to post regularly on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Are you knowledgeable about social media algorithms and insights and can optimize reach and engagement? This is a flexible position. It does not require you to come on site but attending special events would be an asset. Apply online: pwildlife.ca/volunteer. Deadline is Aug. 31.

U-Turn Parkinson’s is looking volunteers for its exercise class. These volunteers ensure Parkinson’s-specific classes operate smoothly while bringing an encouraging and positive atmosphere to class, helping participants live their best with the disease. Volunteers assist instructors, demonstrate seated modifications, setup and clean equipment, engage with participants, and participate in events. Volunteers should be warm, friendly, and physically capable of joining the activities. Volunteers are sought Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 245 Kimberly Rd. (RISE Athletics). Apply by email: jordana@uturnpd.org or by phone: 204-510-4869. Deadline is Aug. 15.

Thrive Community Support Circle seeks reliable and community-minded volunteer drivers for donation pickups and food security programs. This role is essential in helping Thrive get food, clothing, and essential items to the families and individuals they serve. Volunteers will use the Thrive van to pick up and deliver donations and food resources during daytime hours. Tasks include: pickups from Winnipeg Harvest and other food suppliers, collecting clothing and essential goods from donation partners, assisting with the safe loading and unloading of items and supporting the timely delivery of resources back to Thrive’s main site at 555 Spence St. or 475 Sargent Ave. Apply by email: jesssmith@thrivewpg.com. Deadline is Oct. 31.

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.

“That was pretty stressful because it happened in the middle of our conservation calendar raffle. We start selling the calendars in September but because of the strikes we weren’t able to send them out. We had to pivot rather quickly and every Saturday for a while my husband and I were driving all around Winnipeg hand delivering these calendars as it would have been too costly to send them all out by courier,” she says.

DePauw was brought into the fold by her father, who has a long history of volunteering at Ducks Unlimited as well as a number of other organizations.

As DePauw’s parents age — her mother is also a volunteer — they’re not as “hands-on” as they used to be although they continue to support the organization.

“My dad initially recruited me many moons ago,” she says. “Both my parents were volunteers with Tourond Creek and brought me in because they said they were too old to do all the paperwork and needed assistance. I started off helping them and just continued through the years.”

He instilled in her the importance of giving back to the community. It’s a legacy she is honoured to continue.

“My dad would organize blood drives in town. He was member of the Lions Club and the curling club. Every winter he would take on the task of grooming the snowmobile trails, he would drive the school bus… he would do this all while working.

“And that’s what community is; it’s helping each other and making the world better than you found it.”

If you know a special volunteer, please contact AV.Kitching@freepress.mb.ca

AV Kitching
Reporter

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.

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AV Kitching
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