Big heart and generous spirit
Dan Trochim, 84, has a long and varied history of community involvement
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/02/2023 (1203 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Dan Trochim fondly recalls how his wife Elaine, who died last month, encouraged his service to the community.
“My wife was always, always more than happy to see me go and volunteer to help people,” he says.
The two were married for 60 years.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Daniel Trochim volunteered more than 7,400 hours with St. John Ambulance from 1967 to 2003. He was on duty at numerous entertainment and sporting events, including the Pan Am Games in 1967 and 1999.
The 84-year-old North Kildonan resident has a long and varied history of community involvement.
He volunteered more than 7,400 hours with St. John Ambulance from 1967 to 2003. He was on duty at numerous entertainment and sporting events, including the Pan Am Games in 1967 and 1999. He also taught first-aid to hundreds of students.
At the same time, Trochim volunteered for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. He canvassed door to door and collected donations every February for 50 years.
The foundation is one of three organizations that Trochim has volunteered with for at least half a century.
He was a registered umpire with Softball Manitoba for five decades and he has been an off-ice official with the Transcona Railer Express hockey club since the early 1970s.
“To me, volunteering isn’t about what I get out of it, it’s about what I can do to help others,” he says. “Giving back to the community and hoping it would be a better place than when I came into it has always been important to me.”
The youngest of nine children raised on a mixed farm near Libau, Trochim learned from his parents it’s important to help others.
Trochim moved to Winnipeg when he was 16 years old and worked for a construction company before taking a job at Eaton’s.
He met Elaine in 1959 while fishing by the river at Pine Falls; the two married three years later.
Four years after that, Trochim took a job at CN Rail, operating a forklift and doing maintenance. He retired in 1995 after almost 29 years. He and Elaine raised two daughters.
In recent years, Trochim has volunteered at Rainbow Stage by selling 50/50 tickets.
He served snacks to donors at Canadian Blood Services for 15 years, stepping away in 2021 when he was diagnosed with cancer. He has since made a full recovery.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Daniel Trochim is a longtime active member of Transcona Memorial United Church, where he has served on the worship and building committees, participated in numerous musical functions and ensured the church’s first-aid kits remain fully stocked.
Trochim is a longtime active member of Transcona Memorial United Church, where he has served on the worship and building committees, participated in numerous musical functions and ensured the church’s first-aid kits remain fully stocked.
He has a big heart and generous spirit, says co-pastor Jeff Cook.
“He has a good sense of humour and he’s very interested in people,” Cook says. “He’s very welcoming of people and very encouraging of people.”
Trochim interacting with people keeps him going.
“I’ve been a people person from Day 1,” he says.
The past month has been difficult as Trochim navigates life without his wife. Volunteering will be a respite while he grieves.
Elaine’s encouragement still rings in his ears.
“‘You help others, that’s what counts.’ I always get that stuck in the back of my mind,” he says. “I want to keep going and I want to keep helping people.”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact 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.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The CNIB Foundation needs drivers for a two-week period starting March 13. Drivers will be delivering artwork, sculptures, photos and other items of various sizes and weights after an annual fundraiser. Must be very careful with the items and able to lift up to 25 pounds. Volunteers must be available during the day and have their own vehicle. Delivery days will vary during the two-week period, as there will not be deliveries every day. Email glenda.gascoigne@cnib.ca or call 204-789-0947 by this Friday.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The CNIB Foundation needs drivers for a two-week period starting March 13. Drivers will be delivering artwork, sculptures, photos and other items of various sizes and weights after an annual fundraiser. Must be very careful with the items and able to lift up to 25 pounds. Volunteers must be available during the day and have their own vehicle. Delivery days will vary during the two-week period, as there will not be deliveries every day. Email glenda.gascoigne@cnib.ca or call 204-789-0947 by this Friday.
Freeze Frame Media Arts Centre for Young People needs volunteers for its annual film festival. Volunteers are needed to usher people to film screenings and workshops, assist with box office sales and school booking reservations, and help with setting up media zone displays. People who speak English and/or French and have excellent communication skills are needed. The Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages is from March 5 to March 12. There are various shifts available on weekdays, weekends and evenings. Email manager@freezeframeonline.org or call 204-949-9355 by Feb. 24.
The Manitoba Islamic Association needs volunteers to help with the biggest event of the year — Ramadan. Parking lot attendants, and weekday and weekend event staff members, are needed. Go online to http://wfp.to/Sh7 by March 10.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority needs volunteers to help with the Healthy Baby program in Transcona. Volunteers help with setting up the room, greeting parents/families, participating in group discussion on health and wellness topics related to parenting, and preparing and cleaning up supplies. Must have clear criminal record and child abuse registry checks within the past six months and be willing to attend a virtual volunteer orientation and role-specific training. Previous experience with infants and preschool children is an asset. Email smilotte@wrha.mb.ca or apply online at http://wfp.to/ShG by March 31.
Festival du Voyageur needs enthusiastic individuals who want to help make the largest francophone festival in Western Canada a success. Positions — indoor and outdoor — that need to be filled include bartender, cashier, ticket scanner, slide attendant, reservation host, school program, ambassador and eco-voyageur. Must commit to two shifts of four to five hours. The festival runs from this Friday to Feb. 26. Apply online at http://wfp.to/SZZ.
The Recreation Manitoba Conference and Trade Show, which has been held for more than 25 years, is returning as an in-person event this year. Volunteers are needed for setup and at the registration desk. Go to http://wfp.to/SE0 by March 5.
Misericordia Health Centre needs recreation volunteers to enhance pre-planned activities by supporting and encouraging participants. Shifts are once per week, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday or Thursday. Email volunteer@misericordia.mb.ca or call 204-788-8132 by March 31.
Canadian Goodwill Industries needs new members for its board of directors. Members help direct the course of the organization’s strategic planning and offer advice and counsel to upper management. The charity’s mission is to provide vocational and rehabilitation services and employment for people with physical, developmental, mental, emotional or social challenges that are obstacles to their employment in the labour market. Knowledge in business management, public telations, marketing, retail or strategic planning is beneficial. Email accounting@canadiangoodwill.ca or phone 204-943-6435 by April 30.
Swimmingly: One-on-One for Exceptional Needs (formerly Manitoba SwimAbility) needs volunteers on an ongoing basis.Swimmingly is a non-profit, charitable organization that aims to improve the lives of youth with exceptional needs through affordable and accessible one-on-one swimming and water safety instruction. Email marketing@swimminglymb.org or call 204-284-4954.
The Canadian Red Cross is seeking volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to www.redcross.ca/volunteer, 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. 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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