What you can do if you open your mind
Volunteer photographer one of the hundreds that make events like Culture Days and Nuit Blanche possible
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/09/2023 (990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Debbie Ristimaki could snap at any moment.
With her beloved Canon EOS Rebel T7 in hand, Ristimaki has been a volunteer photographer at a variety of events over the years, including Festival du Voyageur and the Manito Ahbee Festival.
The 59-year-old Bridgwater Forest resident also volunteers with Culture Days, which runs from Sept. 22 until Oct. 15 and includes Nuit Blanche.
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Debbie Ristimaki, 59, is a volunteer photographer with Culture Days and Nuit Blanche, among other arts groups.
Celebrated nation-wide, Culture Days is a series of free events meant to raise Canadians’ awareness of the cultural life of their communities.
Ristimaki first got involved in 2018, when local organizers were looking for photographers to document Student Day, an event at The Forks featuring hands-on, arts-focused workshops for students.
“I just love watching people and I love seeing them experience things,” says Ristimaki, who works in customer support at a technology company. “I discovered along the way that doing it with a camera was something that connected (with me).”
Ristimaki was born and raised in Montreal. She lived there until 2013, when she moved to Winnipeg to be with her partner.
Participating in events like Culture Days has helped Ristimaki familiarize herself with Winnipeg and get a feel for the city.
The move to Winnipeg marked a new chapter in her life, one that has seen her increasingly trying new things.
Volunteer opportunities
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 can assist you in finding an opportunity. 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, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
LiteracyWorks — a non-profit adult literacy program located downtown — is seeking energetic, community-minded people for its board of directors. Members help govern the organization in order to maintain its mission, goals and objectives. Send your questions or resumés to info@litworks.ca by Sept. 29.
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy needs volunteers for Boo at the Zoo, which is happening Oct. 6 to Oct. 29. This reimagined event takes place after-hours in the zoo. It is designed for families and people of all ages and will feature special performances, activities and displays. Must be 18 years or older. Apply at http://wfp.to/6rG by Oct. 22.
CancerCare Manitoba needs a volunteer services gift shop clerk. The volunteer will be responsible for providing help to patients and visitors, and selling confectionery and craft items in the lobby shop. Duties include responding to general inquiries, maintaining an accurate record of sales, reconciling the cash box and sales, and setting up and taking down craft items. Phone 204-787-2121 or email ccmbvolservices@cancercare.mb.ca by Oct. 31.
1JustCity needs drop-in volunteers at its West End location. Volunteers serve coffee, sandwiches and other snacks, clean up after guests, do dishes and ensure the drop-in runs smoothly. Apply in person or online at http://wfp.to/0Fl by Dec. 22.
Oakview Place Extendicare needs volunteers for its Adopt a Grandparent program. This one-to-one program involves visiting residents and participating in activities such as games, walks and crafts, with a minimum of 20 minutes per resident visited. The ideal candidate should have good conversation skills, be able to motivate and encourage others and be self-motivated. Volunteers ages 14 and older are welcome. People who speak Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Spanish or Italian are encouraged to apply. Email jbabineau@extendicare.com or phone 204-888-3005 by Sept. 30.
The Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) needs volunteers to help with its children’s, homework and sports programs. IRCOM strives to empower newcomer families to integrate into the wider community. Volunteers must be age 15 or older. Must undergo criminal record and child abuse registry checks. Apply online at http://wfp.to/NNJ by Oct. 31.
Bergen Gardens is seeking volunteers to lead various clubs in their senior community. Leaders with skills in areas such as woodworking, card games, baking, gardening and exercise classes are needed. The ideal candidate should be great with people, trustworthy and willing to share their skills. The time commitment is flexible and includes daytime, evening and weekend availability. A criminal record check is required, but the cost will be reimbursed. Email jackied@bergengardens.ca or phone 431-482-2189 by Nov. 1.
Whyte Ridge Community Centre needs volunteers to help with the ongoing programs it offers in the community. Volunteers should email volunteer.services@whyteridge.ca and describe their talents. The deadline is Nov. 30.
Age & Opportunity: Support Services for Older Adults needs volunteers to provide companionship to older adults through the Connect program. Volunteers can work by phone or in person and must have strong conversational and interpersonal skills. The program requires a minimum of one hour per week, and volunteers can choose to work in the morning, afternoon or evening. Successful applicants will need to complete criminal record and adult abuse registry checks. Must be 18 or older. Call 204-956-6440 or apply online at http://wfp.to/NkV by Dec. 31.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
In 2014, Ristimaki responded to a Free Press call for submissions asking readers to write about their favourite place in the city.
She frequently travelled for work at the time, so she wrote about the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. It’s her favourite place in Winnipeg, she wrote at the time, because being there means she’s back home.
“Hitting ‘send’ took every ounce of courage I had,” she recalls. “Lo and behold, surprisingly, they published it.”
Since submitting that first piece of writing, Ristimaki has become a correspondent for her community newspaper.
“I think it’s about somewhere along the way finding that courage and giving things a try,” she says. “Stepping out of (my) box, I guess. And that’s what I think Nuit Blanche and Culture Days and Student Day does for people.”
More than 90 volunteers will help ensure Culture Days is a safe environment where people can explore art and have fun, says Kerri Stephens, volunteer co-ordinator.
“Without almost 100 volunteers, something like Nuit Blanche could not happen. Period,” she says.
Stephens adds people who volunteer with arts organizations — whether it’s Culture Days, Winnipeg Folk Festival or West End Cultural Centre — end up becoming ambassadors for arts and culture in the city, promoting what’s happening and welcoming people to events.
“The fact that there are people who volunteer their time to do that is pretty exciting,” she says. “It’s pretty mind-blowing if you think about it.”
Ristimaki enjoys Culture Days because it allows participants to try new things and explore different possibilities. She says the events ask the question: what can you do if you open your mind?
“That’s part of the challenge to me, too,” Ristimaki says. “What can I do if I open my mind?”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
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.
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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