Helping, one refreshing glass at a time

Lemonade stand brings in hundreds for West Broadway Youth Outreach

Volunteers
By: AV Kitching Posted: 6:00 AM CDT Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

Like most 12-year-olds, there’s nothing Ruby Barkley enjoys more than a tall glass of lemonade. So when she decided to set up a lemonade stand, Ruby’s Sips + Sweets, in her neighbourhood last month, her mom was only too happy to say yes.

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Especially since Ruby had decided she was going to donate proceeds of the sales to West Broadway Youth Outreach (WBYO), a non-profit organization providing recreational and life-skills programming for children aged four and up.

Ruby had set up lemonade stands in the past and was accustomed to serving up glasses from a pitchers of drink she’d already pre-made, but this time round she chose to do something different.

SUPPLIED
Ruby Barkley sold 119 cups of lemonade at her stand and donated the proceeds to West Broadway Youth Outreach. — SUPPLIED

Ruby Barkley sold 119 cups of lemonade at her stand and donated the proceeds to West Broadway Youth Outreach.

“We got a muddler press and I hand-pressed the lemons and then added flavours. It’s a whole process. It’s hand squeezed right before your eyes and anybody can watch it. I loved doing it,” she says.

Alongside classic lemonade, customers were offered a variety of flavours including peach, blue raspberry and mango. When she tallied up, Ruby had sold 119, 32-oz. cups of lemonade, making a total of $476 all of which she donated.

Giving back to the community is an important part of their family, mother Michelle Barkley says.

The pair had been on the lookout for opportunities to volunteer together but finding suitable placements proved to be challenging, as most organizations require volunteers to be at least 16 years old.

Thanks to a chance encounter on Facebook Marketplace, they were able to find a way to help out together.

“It’s funny how you meet people,” Barkley says. “I had gone to deliver an item and met the director, Ken. I didn’t know anything about the organization until then and we ended up talking for about an hour and a half. We were so inspired by Ken and so deeply moved by his passion and the work the organization is doing that we decided to get involved and raise funds for the cause.”

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.

Manitoba Choral Association’s (MCA) ChoralFest is an annual two-week, non-competitive festival in Brandon and Winnipeg that provides approximately 100 choirs, 4,000 singers and many conductors an opportunity to work with choral specialists from across the continent. They are currently seeking volunteers for the following roles: choir host, tickets and merch, clinician runner, floater, driver and manual labourer. This year’s ChoralFest will run Nov. 13-27 at Brandon University School of Music (Nov. 13-14), Centre culturel franco-manitobain (Nov. 16-17), and Prairie Spirit United Church (Nov. 19-27). Shift times are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and one evening slot on Friday Nov. 20: 6-9 p.m.. Apply online: http://wfp.to/ixq. Deadline is Oct. 25.

Football Manitoba is looking for volunteer coaches to lead and support its flag football teams this fall. Coaches will guide players, communicate with families, officials, staff, and fellow coaches, manage equipment, and attend games. New coaches must register, complete free Respect in Sport, background check, and Safe Sport requirements, submit a photo for their ID card, and attend a new flag coach session. All games are on the weekends from 1:30-11:30 p.m. depending on age group. (ex: U10 first; U18 last). Apply online: http://wfp.to/ixU. Deadline is Oct. 19.

Willow Place is seeking friendly, dependable shelter support volunteers to lead informal activities and assist with daily tasks such as tidying, child-minding, donation sorting, and laundry. Volunteers should have strong communication skills, patience, sound judgment, cultural competency, and the flexibility to work in a fast-paced, trauma-informed environment. A minimum commitment of two hours per week is required during the first year, along with completion of Willow Place’s online and in-person training and required background checks. For more information visit http://wfp.to/ix5. Deadline is Oct. 15.

Winnipeg Child and Family Services (WCFS) needs volunteer drivers to safely transport children to family visits, therapy, and other appointments in Winnipeg and surrounding rural areas. Volunteers should be caring, dependable, organized, and confident working with children, with a valid driver’s licence, insured vehicle, and good communication skills. The role generally requires one weekly visit of two to four hours for a renewable six-month commitment. Mileage and parking expenses are reimbursed, and criminal record and child abuse registry checks are required. For more information and to apply by email: monica.raabe@gov.mb.ca. Deadline is Oct. 21.

MADD Canada needs creative and enthusiastic social media volunteers to help grow its online presence and promote chapter events, campaigns, and community initiatives. Volunteers will create, schedule, and publish engaging content, respond to comments and inquiries, and help increase online engagement. No professional experience is required, but candidates should be comfortable using Facebook and X, have strong communication skills, and support MADD Canada’s mission. Training is provided, and the flexible remote commitment is approximately two to five hours per week. Apply by email: tcrawford@madd.ca. Deadline is March 10, 2027.

Equal Housing Initiative (EHI) is seeking dependable and compassionate volunteers who are available on Thursdays to assist with food preparation, packaging, organization, and distribution. Volunteers will follow food-safety procedures, treat community members with dignity and respect, and work in a welcoming, collaborative environment. Applicants should be punctual, team-oriented, able to stand and lift light items, and committed to supporting vulnerable individuals. Food-service experience and a driver’s licence are assets but not required. Apply by email: Skhan@equalhousinginitiative.com. Deadline is Oct. 30.

Help Bring the YMCA-YWCA Fall Festival to Life – Kids’ Entertainment Volunteers Needed! The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg is hosting a Fall Festival on Oct. 30 at its downtown branch, and we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help create a fun and memorable experience for children ages six to 12. They are looking for volunteers with fun talents or skills, including face painting, magic, balloon art, music, dancing, games, performances, or other children’s entertainment. If you have a fun idea or talent to share, they would love to hear from you. Apply by email: roc@ymanitoba.ca. Deadline is Oct. 15.

Boo at the Zoo is BACK! BATZ runs from Oct. 2-31 at Assiniboine Park Zoo. The event relies on volunteers to help visitors enjoy an extraordinary experience at Boo at the Zoo. Must be 18 years of age or older. Go online at http://wfp.to/iR1 for more information and application. Deadline is Oct. 18.

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.

But they’re not only raising funds — the Barkleys have also filled in volunteer forms to help at the centre’s Homework Club.

“I love working with kids so much. We are going to help them figure out how to do their homework and try our best to help them understand it. This is going to be an ongoing thing and we will do it as much as we can. We love it,” Ruby says.

“The funds are great but nothing impacts a child more than seeing people who want nothing but the best for them giving up their time,” Ken Opaleke, founder and executive director of WBYO says.

“Volunteering is in many ways substantially more potent than even funds that people donate. That’s not to put any kind of a knock on funds; we are in dire need of it. But the fact that they legitimately want to come down, they want to give, they want to help … I’m so moved and appreciative of anyone who just comes into the foxhole and decides to help.”

Opaleke wasn’t aware of the impact his conversation had on the Barkleys.

Supplied
West Broadway Youth Outreach executive director Ken Opaleke accepts a donation from Michelle and Ruby Barkley. Ruby raised more than $400 for WBYO through a lemonade stand. — Supplied

West Broadway Youth Outreach executive director Ken Opaleke accepts a donation from Michelle and Ruby Barkley. Ruby raised more than $400 for WBYO through a lemonade stand.

He only found out when a friend, who lived in the same neighbourhood as the Barkleys, called to tell him they were fundraising for WBYO and handed the phone over to Michelle and Ruby.

“And that’s how I found out,” he says, “I smile every time I think of those two. Ruby and Michelle in my opinion are the perfect description of what West Broadway Youth Outreach strives for, which is continuous, selfless giving and support for others.”

WBYO operates with roughly 43 active volunteers who come from all walks of life. Recruitment relies on Opaleke’s unusual strategy of placing the volunteers’ interests above that of the children.

“We tell volunteers they only need to be thinking of two things. No. 1: forget the kids. No. 2: what do I like?” Opaleke says. “If you’re coming in and doing something with the kids that you’re personally interested in, there’s more chance you’ll stay with us as a volunteer.

“I’ve got volunteers who’ve been here for 10 years. Some only volunteer on movie nights, some of them only come on sports nights, some come to cook, some come to play, and some come for Homework Club, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.”

WBYO currently provides after-school programming for approximately 700 children. Activities run from 3-9 p.m. during the school year and from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in the summer holidays.

Every day, until 4:30 p.m. the centre serves a snack of fruits, vegetables, sandwiches and juice for every child who is there. They then are welcome to make their way to take part in the different activities on offer.

For more information on WBYO programming or how to become a volunteer visit westbroadwayyouthoutreach.com

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
Reporter