Lawyer delights in making ill kids’ dreams come true

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This article was published 17/01/2011 (5666 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Leilani Kagan was just 11 years old when she first got involved with the Rainbow Society, doing a fundraiser through her school. Luckily for the organization, that encounter stuck with her and, as an adult, Kagan returned to volunteer.

Kagan, a Winnipeg lawyer, has now been one of the non-profit organization’s key volunteers during the past dozen years as both a special-events and fundraising committee volunteer and as a member of the board of directors, serving as secretary, vice-president and now president.

“After I graduated from law school and started articling here in Winnipeg, I thought about doing some volunteer work and I thought of the Rainbow Society, because that was the first charity I remembered,” said Kagan, 37, a Tuxedo resident. “It was the first charity I had exposure to and it always caught my attention if I saw it on TV or in the paper.”

Helping to grant the dreams of children facing life-threatening illnesses, the organization has provided Kagan with many great and rewarding memories. As a member of the board, she hears all the dream requests and hears about the outcome of dreams through thank-you letters, photos and catching up with “dream” children and their families at Rainbow Society events.

“Some of the dreams I find incredibly touching are when the sick kid is a little bit older and they know they’re sick and they know the gravity of what they’re facing. They`ll often choose something that their siblings can enjoy after they’re gone,” said Kagan, who fondly remembers one child who chose to have a games room built in the family home.

Even though some of the children’s wishes are similar, each has its own unique twists dreamed up by the children. Many choose to go to locations such as Disney World, but each trip includes personalized touches, made possible by the non-profit organization.

“Although you can take your sick child to Disney World, unless you go through an organization like the Rainbow Society, you can`t take them to Disney World and give them the experience we can offer them, because of the connections that the organization has because of its charitable status and the fact that it works with sick children.”

The Rainbow Society works strictly in Manitoba, fulfilling the dreams of Manitoba children. Each year, the organization grants about 25 dreams. Executive director Grace Thomson said the agency is always looking for volunteers, whether it’s for fundraising events, planning committees, or office work.

If you would like more information about the Rainbow Society or would like to become a volunteer, please call 989-4010 or visit the agency online at www.therainbowsociety.com.

 

If you know a special volunteer who strives to make his or her community a better place to live, please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@shaw.ca.

 

Volunteers needed

Volunteer opportunities advertised in the Winnipeg area. For more information about these listings, please contact the person/organization directly. You may also call (204) 477-5180 ext. 221 to set up an appointment to see an interviewer at Volunteer Manitoba. Email: vmreferral@mts.net or visit our website: www.mbvolunteer.ca for other available volunteer opportunities.

 

— Rupert’s Land Caregiver is a non-profit organization that provides services and support to family caregivers of older adults. Ring-a-Ride, a transportation program, needs drivers to take clients residing in southwest Winnipeg to appointments, shopping and social outings. Call 452-9491.

 

— Sarasváti Productions is looking for marketing committee members. Candidates should have a background in marketing, communications, public relations, media or graphic design. Meetings are held bi-monthly. Information: Hope, 586-2236 or hope@sarasvati.ca.

 

— Age and Opportunity friendly visitors are required for all areas of the city. Call Dianne, 956-6440.

 

— Literacy Works is seeking new board members who have an interest in literacy. Particularly interested in people with fundraising experience, with accounting backgrounds, or experience using social networking in the not-for-profit sector. Information: Sabina, 786-1212 or info@litworks.ca.

 

— Winnipeg Art Gallery has the following volunteer positions to fill: greeters to assist guests as they enter the gallery, direct them to appropriate area, answer questions; coat check to receive guests’ coats, hang with matching tickets, watch area; ticket sellers to sell silent-auction tickets, assist with bids as needed; ushers; strikers to help dismantle all decor, help with general cleanup. Call Mike, 786-6641 or mmalyk@wag.ca.

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— Special Olympics Manitoba is looking for volunteer assistant coaches for basketball programs in Winnipeg. Assistant coaches provide instruction in basic motor and sport-skill development, prepare athletes for competition and assist with administration of the club. Call Kelly, 925-5625 or kquigley@specialolympics.mb.ca.

 

— Western Canadian Aviation Museum needs a photo archives assistant in the main office of the museum. Must have excellent computer skills, which include scanning and working with Film Maker Pro. This position will be ongoing in order for the museum to bring its photo archives up to date. Call Heather, 786-5503 or giftshop@wcam.mb.ca.