Students learn about volunteering by doing it
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/02/2024 (743 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Reading, writing and volunteering are on the agenda in the Grades 7/8 French immersion class at École Leila North Community School.
Led by teacher Amita Khandpur, the class has volunteered at the Manitoba Children’s Museum, Théâtre Cercle Molière and twice at Harvest Manitoba.
Next week, the students will volunteer at Festival du Voyageur.
“Not everyone volunteers, so this is almost sowing good habits for the future,” says Liam Jervis, who is in Grade 7.
“She (Khandpur) always tells us before every outing about the importance of giving back to the community,” adds Jaanvi Sharma, another Grade 7 student. “Because we take so much, it’s important to give back.”
Camilla Cano had never volunteered before the class went to Théâtre Cercle Molière, where they helped staff prepare for a fundraising event.
Camilla got the impression that the staff always have a lot of work to do.
“I felt happy that I got to help them out,” she says.
For Gursimran Benipal, volunteering at Harvest Manitoba has been one of the biggest highlights.
During one of their visits, the students made cards to go into bags of food headed to remote communities.
The cards had positive messages on them, like “You are enough,” and “You are powerful.”
“It felt like we were making a difference, and that we were the reasons they (the recipients) had a smile on their face,” Gursimran says.
For Brendan Mayuga, the best part about volunteering at Harvest Manitoba was sorting and bagging food.
“It helps get the energy out of me, because I have too much energy,” he says.
Khandpur says the purpose of field trips is to create experiences that enhance the everyday learning students do in the classroom.
She organizes field trips that involve volunteering because it allows her students to learn while doing hands-on activities.
At Harvest Manitoba, the class learned about food insecurity — a lesson that has stuck with them.
“At any moment, you could suddenly be one of those families that have to rely on the food bank,” Liam says.
Volunteering as a class has the students considering where they might want to volunteer on their own in the future.
Jaanvi would like to get involved at a hospital.
“When I was little, I wanted to be a doctor,” she says. “I don’t want to be one anymore, but there’s lots of people who need help.”
Zoe Iledan is interested in volunteering with an organization that helps communities recover after natural disasters.
She is adamant that helping others means taking action.
“I feel helping out means volunteering, and not taking out your phone and making a video saying, ‘Let’s help the planet,’” Zoe says. “Volunteering means taking a tiny step or a big step to make a difference.”
Khandpur leads by example, as an avid volunteer.
In the last 10 years, she’s volunteered with numerous organizations, including Festival du Voyageur, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, the Shine On Festival of Music and Art and Jazz Winnipeg.
This is her 18th year teaching and the first time she’s incorporated volunteering into the classroom.
“I’m trying to teach them that giving back is important,” she says. “I want them to know that no matter how young you are, you have the power to make change.”
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.
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 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, 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 volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. is looking for volunteers to join their Elmwood Unity Walk group. As a safety patrol group, Elmwood Unity Walk operates within the Chalmers neighbourhood to create a safer and cleaner area for the community. Volunteers will be expected to remove potentially hazardous materials, hand out food and water to those in need, and refer residents to other CNRC programs that provide an effective wrap-around service. The walks occur weekly on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and require candidates with sociability, group interaction skills, emotional intelligence, attentiveness and a team player attitude. The opportunity is open to candidates of all ages, and it is available for groups of all sizes. Apply by email: cnrcnrg@chalmersrenewal.org, by phone: 204-669-0750 or in person. Deadline is Feb. 29.
Freeze Frame Media Arts Centre for Young People is seeking volunteers for their upcoming International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages. Volunteers will be responsible for ushering people to film screenings and workshops, assisting with box-office sales and school booking reservations, and setting up Media Zone displays. Fluency in English and/or French are encouraged in order to apply. The festival takes place from March 10-16, with various shifts available during weekdays, weekends and evenings. Apply by email: manager@freezeframeonline.org or by phone: 204-949-9355. Deadline is Feb. 24.
Ted’s Run for Literacy is looking for help on its organizing committee. This volunteer role involves connecting with local organizations to secure donations for the race. In addition to fundraising, volunteers will help with general setup and assist on the day of the race. Ted’s Run for Literacy supports the Learn & Play program overseen by the Winnipeg Foundation and CanU after-school program. With a time commitment of approximately 10 hours per month, this opportunity is perfect for anyone looking to gain experience in communication and make a meaningful impact in their community. To apply, email: leah.tedsrunforliteracy@gmail.com. Deadline is March 17.
Actionmarguerite St-Boniface is seeking volunteers to connect with residents in their homes and bring a positive impact to their lives. Dining Experience Volunteers play a key role in enhancing the quality of life for residents by providing companionship and support during meal times. It’s an excellent way to gain customer service, communication, attention to detail, teamwork, empathy and patience skills, which can be useful in related careers such as food service assistant, dietary aide, hospitality and service industries and health-care administration. They serve three meals a day and will work with what’s best with your schedule. To apply, email: compassioncrew@reseaucompassionnetwork.ca, by phone: 204-803-6949, in person or online: http://wfp.to/j2K. Deadline June 30.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority community health and corporate programs is seeking volunteers for its Healthy Baby / East Elmwood program. Volunteers will work alongside a public health nurse, public health dietitian and community organization representative(s) to set up the room, organize pamphlets and educational displays and assist program participants with weighing babies. Other responsibilities include attending to babies while program participants engage in food preparation, helping with food cleanup and dishwashing, and assisting mothers and staff with other duties as needed. Candidates must undergo a criminal record check and child abuse registry check prior to being recruited for the role. Apply online: http://wfp.to/j2b. Deadline March 1.
Misericordia Health Centre is seeking volunteers for the gift shop. Cash register and customer-service training will be provided. Join their friendly and committed team. Shifts are once a week Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 12:30-3:30 p.m., Fridays from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., and flexible evening shifts. Interested? Please call 204.788.8134, email volunteer@misericordia.mb.ca or apply online at misericordia.mb.ca. Deadline is April 30.
Council of Women of Winnipeg founded in 1894 needs board members interested in advocating and making a difference in the lives of women and families in our local community. People with backgrounds in fundraising, communication or technical support are needed. Must attend monthly executive board meetings and do occasional ad-hoc work. Email: mailto:councilwomenwinnipeg@gmail.com by Feb. 28.
Marymound is seeking volunteers for the Gimli Ice Fishing Derby, which will be held on South Beach on March 2. Marymound and Fish Futures are organizing the event, and all net proceeds go to support programming for vulnerable children and water conservation, and the promotion of recreational angling. Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, including site setup and takedown, parking attendants, fish spotters, gift giveaways and ice-fishing hole drillers. Apply online: http://wfp.to/j2p. Deadline is Feb. 26.
Parkinson Canada needs a Volunteer SuperWalk Co-ordinator to organize events in Winnipeg, mentor volunteers and oversee all aspects of the walk. Candidates should have strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills and be interested in working with Parkinson Canada. This opportunity requires a time commitment of six to eight hours per month from March to October, with the event usually taking place in early September. The position requires a reimbursed criminal record check. Apply by email: jerlynn.rycroft@parkinson.ca or online: http://wfp.to/j2d. Deadline is March 1.
Recreation Manitoba is seeking volunteers to lend a helping hand at its upcoming Recreation Manitoba Conference and Trade Show. With this year’s event returning to in-person for the first time since 2020, volunteers are needed to ensure the conference is a great success. Volunteers are being sought to assist with a variety of roles, including registration, session monitoring and social media. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable skills and explore career opportunities in recreation management, kinesiology, business and more. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, and flexible hours are available to accommodate different schedules. Apply by email: h.reimer@brandon.ca or online: recreationmb.ca/volunteer. Deadline is Feb. 21.
Red Cross: When disaster strikes, you can help, and they can show you how. Volunteer with the Red Cross today. Phone 1-844-818-2155, email volunteer@redcross.ca , or visit their website at www.redcross.ca/volunteer.
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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