Grandma Joan dedicated to kids with Down syndrome
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/11/2015 (3837 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
IT was early on Christmas Eve in 1998 when Joan Kolbauer got the call her first grandchild, a girl named Zoë, had been born.
A few weeks later came another call from her daughter, Laura Lynn, telling her Zoë had been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
“By then we were completely in love with this precious baby but had no idea what the future held for her,” said Kolbauer, 72.
At the time of Zoë’s birth, Kolbauer knew nothing about Down syndrome. Since her granddaughter lives in California, Kolbauer wanted to be supportive of her daughter and son-in-law in spite of the distance.
She joined the Manitoba Down Syndrome Society in an effort to learn more about the genetic disorder. Soon, she was volunteering at events. In 2004, she joined the organization’s board of directors and immediately took on the role of treasurer.
While no longer on the board, Kolbauer still volunteers with the society.
She helps with registration at the annual See Me Beautiful conference, where educators and parents access and discuss information about learning strategies and best teaching practices for children who have Down syndrome.
Kolbauer also co-ordinates Baby Love gatherings, which are held each spring and fall in an effort to provide a forum for families with babies and young children who have Down syndrome.
The events allow parents and families to get to know one another while enjoying entertainment, activities and refreshments.
Such events are especially meaningful for Kolbauer.
“Volunteering has given me the opportunity to meet many wonderful families,” she said. “To see the kids grow up and succeed throughout the years continues to be the reason I am so dedicated to volunteering for all kids with Down syndrome.”
Through her involvement with the society, Kolbauer has attended numerous conferences across Canada related to Down syndrome, picking up the nickname, Grandma Joan, along the way.
She has learned a lot about Down syndrome.
It was all for Zoë, who turns 17 in a few weeks.
“She’s a bright light in our lives,” Kolbauer said.
“She’s just a wonderful, wonderful child.”
‘She’s a bright light in our lives. She’s just a wonderful, wonderful child’
— Joan Kolbauer on her granddaughter Zoë
Seeing Zoë’s abilities has shown Kolbauer what children with Down syndrome can achieve.
Zoë reads very well, has beautiful handwriting, does her homework without complaint, is popular with her peers, and is loved by all, Kolbauer said.
She takes golf lessons each year, participates in dance class, goes 10-pin bowling and for the second year in a row will be modelling clothes at an upcoming fundraiser in Palm Desert, Calif.
“She has certainly taught us to see the ability and not the disability in all children with challenges,” Kolbauer said.
In addition to her work with the society, Kolbauer is a 20-year volunteer in the life-enrichment program at River East Personal Care Home, where she participates in a weekly program and helps with special events and outings.
She has also volunteered for the last several years with the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival.
“I love all my volunteer work,” Kolbauer said. “It has made me a better person.”
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.
Volunteers needed
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 we can assist you in finding a volunteer opportunity. To learn more about our programs and services, please visit www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
- Canadian Mental Health Association, Winnipeg Region requires an event co-ordinator for its Community bike ride Ride Don’t Hide on June 26, 2016. Working group and planning committee meetings to be held January to June. Information: tammyd@cmhawpg.mb.ca or phone 204-982-6125
- Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg requires volunteers to assist with special events: parties, concerts, lunches, outings, etc. Information: matt@middlechurchhome.mb.ca , phone 204-336-4138 or in person to 280 Balderstone Road in West St. Paul
- Winnipeg School Division Adult ESL Program requires adult ESL volunteers to help newcomers. Volunteers are needed mornings, afternoons and evenings at 275 Portage Ave. For more information contact Heather at hrempel@wsd1.org
- Bouncing Beauties (Run for the Cure Team) is looking for volunteers to gift-wrap presents at Kildonan Place mall until Dec. 24. Proceeds are donated to breast cancer research. Four-hour shifts, day or evening, Monday to Sunday are available. Please call Lorraine at 204-222-0358
- The Winnipeg Christmas Cheer Board is in need of a volunteer co-ordinator to ensure all opportunities are filled so we can meet our goals. It’s a rewarding experience with the opportunity to match volunteers with our many needs. As the volunteer co-ordinator, you would act as an ambassador for the Christmas Cheer Board providing customer service to current and prospective volunteers, donors as well clients receiving hampers. Managing the school hamper-packing program, contacting and scheduling about 40 schools from grades 4 to 12 to help pack hampers. Recruitment, screening, training and on-boarding of volunteers for various volunteer opportunities, matching volunteers with the right role considering skills and availability, ensuring a positive volunteer experience as well as sufficient volunteer coverage. Provide coaching and support for front end volunteers throughout the campaign. Must be available for the scheduled daytime hours the Christmas Cheer Board is open, as well as two weekends the Cheer Board is open. For further information, please contact Sheila Worboys at ccbadmin@mymts.net
- Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue requires volunteers for the following: website developer, webpage editor, communications promotions lead, spay & neuter co-ordinator, photo shoot greeter. Information: recruit@manitobamutts.org
- Society for Manitobans with Disabilities is seeking volunteers for their Cupcake Campaign to deliver cupcakes to raise funds for vital programs and services. Information: www.smd.mb.ca/smd/careers
- Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre has openings for Board of Directors positions. Information: pwrcentre@gmail.com , or online www.pwildlife.ca/wanted-volunteer-board-members/
- CNIB requires volunteers for the following positions: group leader — coffee group, sighted guide — coffee group to assist group leader and vision mates to assist clients with activities. Information: candace.gower@cnib.ca , phone 204-789-0955, in person to 1080 Portage Ave., cnib.ca/en/about/CNIBForms/Pages/New/Volunteers.aspx
- Winnipeg Roller Derby League is looking for volunteer coaches for the 2016 season. Skills required: 2-plus years of coaching experience, strong communication skills, interest in Roller Derby. Commitment: 1 season January to end of August, including pre-season team prep and try-outs. Information: training@winnipegrollerderby.com
- 2017 Canada Summer Games is seeking a volunteer function lead, to liaise with operations staff, contractors and stakeholders, manage and co-ordinate volunteers/staff, act as resource to each venue volunteer representative, attend meetings. Present during Games time (July 28 to Aug. 13, 2017) Information: kseifert@2017canadagames.ca
- CPAWS needs a caribou ambassador to help protect boreal caribou and their home, by talking to people or giving presentations to groups to educate the public. Information: oliver@cpawsmb.org or in person to 3-303 Portage Ave.
- Osteoporosis Canada, Manitoba Chapter requires an office assistant for general office duties. Information: Manitoba@osteoporosis.ca or by phone 204-772-3498.
- The Very READ-y Project is an innovative community literacy project focusing on North End families with children up to age five. Fun, flexible and very rewarding volunteer opportunities include supporting family programming, community events and training. For more information check us out on Facebook or contact Emily Halldorson at 204-582-1804 or ehalldorson@mymts.net
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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History
Updated on Monday, November 30, 2015 8:16 AM CST: Fixes cutline
Updated on Monday, November 30, 2015 9:50 AM CST: Fixes name