Winnipeggers credit mother, father, work as motive for fighting impaired driving

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Three Winnipeggers are being recognized for their efforts to stop impaired driving and support its victims.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/02/2025 (596 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Three Winnipeggers are being recognized for their efforts to stop impaired driving and support its victims.

MADD volunteers Tanya Hansen Pratt, Trevor Ens and David Greening are scheduled to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which is given to Canadians who have made significant contributions to the country or their community.

“I feel so honoured that I was even suggested to receive this,” Hansen Pratt says. “I think it’s amazing.”

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
David Greening (left) and Trevor Ens are two of three volunteers with MADD who are going to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal for their efforts to stop impaired driving and support victims.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

David Greening (left) and Trevor Ens are two of three volunteers with MADD who are going to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal for their efforts to stop impaired driving and support victims.

Since 2023, the 51-year-old has worked as MADD Canada’s national president. She started volunteering with the organization’s Winnipeg chapter in 1999, a month after her mother, Beryl, was struck and killed by an impaired driver.

Hansen Pratt has served in various roles over the years, including a term as chapter president from 1999 to 2005.

She continues to support victims and their families by facilitating MADD Canada’s Loss of a Loved One online support group each month.

“Knowing how caring and compassionate my mom was — she was the caregiver — I knew this was something I could do to honour her and her memory,” says Hansen Pratt, who is also an instructor at Red River College Polytech.

Ens’ work in law enforcement inspired him to start volunteering with MADD Winnipeg in 2015. The 44-year-old currently serves as chapter president.

He has worked to expand MADD’s presence and impact in the community, including building strong relationships with local government officials and police detachments. He participates in local events, does regular speaking engagements and serves as a media spokesperson.

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.

__________________

Prairie Strides — which provides adaptive horseback riding for children with disabilities, helping them build confidence, strength and independence — needs volunteers for its spring program. Side-walkers, horse leaders and physio/occupational therapists are needed Monday and/or Wednesday evenings. No experience is required, and training is provided for the 12-week commitment. Apply at wfp.to/WYV by March 10.

The Company of Poets is seeking a poet laureate trainee to help with presentations aimed at seniors. Applicants should have basic literary skills, a passion for working with seniors, and their own transportation to travel to care homes and 55+ centres. Humour and pathos are bonuses. Younger people are welcome to apply. Events are typically held on weekdays, with occasional evening and weekend sessions. Email beatnik57@gmail.com by March 30.

The Manitoba Lung Association needs community-minded people to join its board of directors. The association’s mission is for Manitobans to breathe with ease. The board will help shape the future of lung health by advocating for government policies, fundraising for health programs and innovative research, supporting Manitobans with their lung health and being the resource of knowledge sharing. Email info@mb.lung.ca by March 31.

Basketball Manitoba and the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association need head coaches and assistant coaches. Coaches will teach basketball skills, foster a positive team environment and engage with players and parents. No coaching experience is needed; training and resources are available. Apply at www.wmba.ca, info@wmba.ca or 204-925-5774 by April 1.

Com-Span, based in south Winnipeg, provides service and support to people living with disabilities. It needs board members to support projects and committees, such as fundraising and grants, finance and foundation, planning and marketing, policy and procedures, and board recruitment and retention. The board meets monthly, with the option of attending virtually. A criminal record check is required, but costs will be reimbursed. Email allison.delaurier@comspan.org by June 30.

The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre needs a volunteer social media co-ordinator. Responsibilities include content creation with photos, posting and analytics. The volunteer should have experience in social media, communications and a desire to make a difference. Email laura.neirinck@simkincentre.ca by March 10.

Health Sciences Centre needs volunteer clothing depot organizers. The role involves sorting, organizing and folding clothing donations for patients who might have lost their belongings. Volunteers should commit to a regular two- to three-hour shift each week for at least six months. People are encouraged to apply individually or in small groups. Email habdullah@hsc.mb.ca by April 10.

Deer Lodge Centre needs entrance greeters to welcome visitors, and provide information and directions. Candidates should be physically fit, and able to push wheelchairs and work independently. Strong customer service, communication and problem-solving skills are essential. Shifts are available from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. A criminal record check is required, but costs will not be reimbursed. Apply at wfp.to/Aku by June 30.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba needs compassionate volunteers to help create a welcoming environment for families in need. Duties include giving tours, meal prep, baking and light cleaning. Shifts are available during the day, evening and weekends, with a commitment of at least one three-hour shift every two weeks. Background checks are required. Apply at wfp.to/AkY.

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.

Like Hansen Pratt, what Ens most appreciates about his involvement with MADD is that it allows him to help people impacted by impaired driving.

“Being able to provide some sort of direction to the hurdles they’re trying to jump over” is meaningful, he says, adding that it’s a “completely unexpected” honour to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

“I hope it inspires other people to get involved with not just MADD but other volunteering in their community,” he says.

For Greening, volunteering with MADD Winnipeg “closes the loop” on a traumatic incident that happened when he was 10 years old.

His father Ben, a farmer, was driving a small tractor on the highway when he was struck from behind by an impaired driver. Ben was thrown from the tractor, which rolled over him.

“The only positive thing is my dad did recover and we could go on with our lives,” says Greening, now 59. “That’s not the case for a lot of families.”

The retiree got involved with MADD more than four years ago when he was working as the executive director of policy development and analysis for Manitoba Justice.

Volunteering with MADD has been a nice segue from working life into retirement because it allows Greening to continue working on policy issues and keeps his creative juices flowing, he says.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal recognition has special meaning for Greening because in 1967, his mother, Olga, was presented with a Centennial Medal recognizing her contributions as an educator.

It was an honour she treasured until her death in 2008.

“I think it’s really neat we were both able to receive a medal recognizing our contributions to different but important fields,” Greening says.

Pratt, Ens and Greening will be presented with their medals at the Legislative Building on Tuesday, March 4.

They are among the 30,000 Canadians who will receive the recognition. The first medals were presented on May 6, 2024 — one year after the coronation of Charles III.

If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.

Aaron Epp

Aaron Epp
Reporter

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.

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