Voracious volunteer trades stethoscope for choirbook

Volunteers
By: AV Kitching Posted: 2:01 AM CDT Monday, May. 11, 2026 Last Modified: 6:51 AM CDT Monday, May. 11, 2026 | Updates

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Retired nurse Helen Cooper has spent the last 20-plus years volunteering at arts organizations and festivals throughout the city.

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Retired nurse Helen Cooper has spent the last 20-plus years volunteering at arts organizations and festivals throughout the city.

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Retired nurse Helen Cooper has spent the last 20-plus years volunteering at arts organizations and festivals throughout the city.

Her longest ongoing role is with the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, where for more than two decades she took on various roles before becoming a team leader.

She’s helped out at Manitoba Theatre for Young People for 12 years, is a regular choir host during Manitoba Choral Society’s ChoralFest every autumn and recently started volunteering at Prairie Theatre Exchange, where she’s been the cashier at the café, scanned tickets and greeted theatregoers at the door, among other duties.

Volunteering has given Helen Cooper the opportunity to meet, socialize and contribute with like-minded people. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

Originally from the U.K., Cooper, 60, moved to Canada in 1991 and worked at Children’s Hospital and St Boniface Hospital until her retirement last year.

Volunteering has given Cooper the opportunity to meet, socialize and contribute with like-minded people. The benefits have been huge, she says, encouraging those who’d like to do the same.

“There’s a feeling of accomplishment when you’ve received from and can give back to your community. And it doesn’t have to be in just one way for one thing. There will always be something you can volunteer in if you’re interested. Many organizations will find you a role, many of them are looking for people,” she says.

Contributing her time and skills to organizations she values brings Cooper satisfaction and joy. While she’s keen not to generalize, she says it’s common for nurses to volunteer.

“It’s part of who you are, doing something for somebody, helping out … that kind of thing. I have a friend who is literally retiring this week and her first question to me was, ‘OK, give me some ideas as to where I can volunteer,’” she says, laughing.

Another one of her more regular roles is with the Nurses Choir, a 45-strong volunteer group comprised of retired and working nurses.

Cooper used to sing as a child but let her interest lapse in adulthood. A few years ago she’d been contemplating taking up singing again when she spotted a notice in the nurses union newsletter announcing the formation of the choir.

It was kismet.

“I thought this almost seems too good to true. I joined on the first day. There were about 17 of us in the beginning. After a couple of years the choir had gotten bigger and Bill Quinn, the musical director, realized he needed some assistance in organizing things,” Cooper says.

Cooper, along with some other vocalists, responded to Quinn’s request for help, dedicating time to form the choir’s steering committee. Each person has a role and hers is, Cooper says rather incredulously, to organize communications for the group.

“This to me is just the funniest things in the world because I’m not in the least bit technically inclined,” she says.

Cooper organizes the communication over WhatsApp chat and is in charge of social media. The committee meets about four to five times a year, once before the choir season begins to discuss rehearsals and performances, and a few times during the year to check in.

The choir mostly performs at personal care homes, singing from their repertoire for 30 to 45 minutes, with hearing residents singing along.

Seeing someone emotionally affected by a particular song can be quite meaningful, Cooper says.

“When you realize you’re singing a song that brings back a memory or bringing someone joy … that is a very nice feeling. It doesn’t happen every time, but quite often somebody will come up to you afterwards and mention that they really appreciated it.

“Realizing that you and your choir, in your little way, actually did something of meaning for somebody … well that makes me feel very, very nice.”

The choir’s final concert of the season takes place at 7 p.m. tonight at Westworth United Church at 1750 Grosvenor Ave. The performance coincides with Nurses Week (May 7-11). The nurses will be joined by special guests Balmoral Hall Vocal Jazz Choir.

The public is welcome to attend and are asked to bring a donation of tinned food for Harvest Manitoba in lieu of payment.

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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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.

Students! Believe it or not, summer is just around the corner. Volunteer Manitoba can help make your summer awesome: volunteering is a fantastic way to make your summer interesting, rewarding and fun! Not convinced? Check out our blog post for plenty of reasons why volunteering this summer is perfect for you. There are also links to volunteer opportunities from non-profits from across Manitoba that will make your summer the best yet. Visit wfp.to/volunteer.

Assiniboine Park and Zoo Camp is looking for volunteers for its camp crew. Crew volunteers are between 14-18 years of age and support camp counselors in their daily activities. Camps run Monday to Friday every week of the summer. Volunteers will greet campers (ages 5-12 years) at the start of camp, play games, organize crafts materials, and befriend them while exploring the zoo and park. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of two 40-hour weeks during the summer. Shifts are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Opportunities are also available throughout the year for in-service day camps and spring break camps. Apply online: assiniboinepark.ca/volunteer. Deadline is May 31.

Be a part of Team Folklorama as a pavilion volunteer. Pavilion volunteers may work as an admissions attendant, in guest services or the parking lot, assisting with beverage services, and participate in food preparation or food line services. They might also engage in Green Team or eco-initiatives, be table servers, handle video or sound tech, assist with cultural displays, manage the souvenirs section, or help with setup and take down. Volunteers need to possess a friendly and outgoing personality, be punctual and reliable, and feel comfortable interacting and speaking with both children and adults. Apply online: bttr.im/46hcj. Deadline is July 27.

The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada seeks Winnipeg Walk Day volunteers on June 27. Volunteers will play a key role in creating a smooth and inspiring event by helping with setup, registration, cheering on participants, and more. No experience is needed — just a passion for supporting a great cause. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Apply online: wfp.to/ia3. Deadline is June 15.

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is seeking Blitz Build volunteers for 610 Panet Rd., from Aug. 10-14. Thirty volunteers are sought for the five-day project. Lunch and snacks provided. It takes many caring hands to build a Habitat home. Whether you’re a contractor or have never picked up a hammer, your help is welcomed. Experience is valued and appreciated, but we accept all levels of expertise and will train on site. Must be at least 16 years of age. Ability to climb stairs, navigate uneven terrain, and possess good mobility. Proficiency in conversational English is needed. Apply online: habitatmbca.volunteerhub.com. Deadline is Aug. 1.

Apathy is Boring seeks young people aged 18-30 to volunteer for the Winnipeg RISE Program. This opportunity provides training, resources, and funding to support youth in designing and leading a community project. No prior experience required. Apply by May 24th at apathyisboring.com.

Heritage Winnipeg seeks volunteers for its annual Doors Open Winnipeg event on May 30-31. Volunteer shifts are available all over the city and will range from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shifts are usually three-four hours in length. Volunteering for more than one shift is an option as well. Two roles are available — ambassador and tour guide. The ambassador’s duties include: greeting individuals, counting the number of people in the building, and providing accurate information to the public. Tour guides should be confident in public speaking and be able to provide correct information on their volunteering site. Apply online: wfp.to/iab. Deadline is May 24.

Jazz Winnipeg seeks event volunteers for the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival. Open crews vary depending on availability. You could be a part of event safety, enviro, bar, bar sales, raffle, front of house, merchandise sales, stage and setup, and more. Some crews require extended periods of walking or standing and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. All applicants should be prepared to work outside. Apply online: jazzwinnipeg.com/volunteer. Deadline is May 30.

Love soccer? The Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association seeks volunteers for its Boston Pizza Players Tournament. The event is from May 27 to May 31 at the John Blumberg Park Soccer Fields. Help out by signing teams in before first games, distributing team packages, collecting game sheets, ensuring smooth operations, or setting up and tearing down. Ages 13-plus. Apply online: wfp.to/ia2. Deadline is May 20.

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.

AV Kitching
Reporter