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Opinion

Living on the fringe

Volunteer still in love with festival after 20 years

By: Aaron Epp 
Posted: 07/23/2018 4:00 AM | Comments:

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/7/2018 (510 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When she was a teenager, Saz Massey saw a poster that advertised volunteer opportunities at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival.

Given her passion for theatre and improv, and given that she had attended the festival in the past, she decided to sign up.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS</p><p>Saz Massey (left) and her partner, Bre Brown, volunteer at the Pantages Theatre during the Fringe on Thursday. Massey has been volunteering with the Fringe since she was a teenager.</p>

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Saz Massey (left) and her partner, Bre Brown, volunteer at the Pantages Theatre during the Fringe on Thursday. Massey has been volunteering with the Fringe since she was a teenager.

"The first year I volunteered, I fell in love," says Massey, 36. "It’s 20 years later, and I’m still doing it. That love’s still there."

In recent years, Massey has recruited her partner, Bre Brown, to volunteer at the festival.

They are two of the hundreds of volunteers who are helping to run this year’s festival, which started Wednesday.

Brown started volunteering with the festival four years ago.

In addition to allowing her to spend more time with Massey, volunteering at the festival gives Brown the opportunity to do something different from her day job.

"I’ve been in my current job for 15 years, so it was nice to get out and do something different and meet new people," the 33-year-old says.

At the festival, Massey and Brown work as team leaders. Leaders help to create a positive environment for the team at each venue, training and supporting the volunteers.

They work closely with venue technicians to make sure everything runs on time, ensure that patrons are safe and comfortable, provide customer service and act as festival ambassadors.

"When I’m on shift, I want everybody to have as much fun and love at the fringe festival as much as I do," Massey says.

She especially enjoys talking to the crowd when they are lined up outside the venue, waiting to see the show.

"I used to bring my yo-yo and do yo-yo tricks, or play my ukulele, but I think I’m probably a little too old for that now, so I don’t do it anymore," she says, laughing.

Brown, who describes herself as "a pretty shy person," enjoys volunteering at the festival because it’s an opportunity to meet new people.

"For the most part, it’s such a positive experience and everyone’s really happy," she says. "Seeing the city come alive and seeing how many Winnipeggers are into the performing arts and theatre is really great."

Massey likes it so much that she’s only missed one year since she started volunteering. In 2011, she wrote and starred in a one-woman show at the festival, which meant she didn’t have time to volunteer.

Although producing the show was a positive experience, Massey missed volunteering.

"There’s a really solid community of volunteers at the festival, some of whom have been volunteering since day one," she says. "It’s a family."

Brown enjoys volunteering because she sees it as a way to give back to a festival that means a lot to her.

"I love the festival and… it doesn’t really happen without volunteers," she says.

That’s something festival organizers are constantly reminding volunteers, Massey adds.

"The Fringe festival does a really good job of letting us know how appreciated we are," she says. "I get a lot of intrinsic rewards for volunteering, but it’s really nice to know we’re appreciated and supported."

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.

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.

Caregiving with Confidence (formerly Rupert’s Land Caregiver Services) transportation program needs volunteer drivers to take seniors in southwest Winnipeg to appointments, shopping and social outings. Volunteers can be available as little or as often as they wish, even once per month. Compensation for fuel and parking is provided. To apply, email volunteer@caregivingwithconfidence.org or call 204-452-9491. 

The Canadian Red Cross is looking for people to join its team of dedicated volunteers who are prepared to help people impacted by disasters such as forest fires and floods. For more information, go to www.redcross.ca/HeroesWanted, call 204-982-7330 or email vrs@redcross.ca.  

Join Victoria Lifeline’s award-winning volunteer group and start making a difference. Volunteers set up Lifeline in client’s homes and coach clients and caregivers in its use. A personal vehicle and valid driver’s licence are required. Full training and mileage provided. Call Melissa at 204-956-6773 or send resumé to victorialifeline@vgh.mb.ca. 

Picnic in the Park is an family event that promotes a positive image and celebrates the cultural diversity of the North End. It is urgently seeking volunteers for July and August to distribute marketing materials, and volunteers to help that day (setup and cleanup, activity facilitators, safety and environment, food and beverage). The event will be at St. John’s Park on Saturday, Aug. 18. If interested, email mika@necrc.org or call 204-891-5595. 

Manitobans for Human Rights is looking for runners, sponsors and volunteers for this year’s Torch of Dignity Relay on Sept. 23. People involved with 100 organizations are to set to walk, run, or roll from 460 Bedson St. to Scotiabank Stage at The Forks for a free family event after the relay. Please email mbrights@mymts.net or call 204-783-8374 for details. 

Misericordia Health Centre is seeking retail clerks for its gift shop, and hallway ambassadors. The team of volunteers contributes to supporting client and resident care. Supportive training and free parking provided. Various shifts weekday shifts are available. To apply, call Lynn Horton at 204-788-8131 or go to misericordia.mb.ca/volunteer.    

The Folklorama Brazilian pavilion is looking for volunteers to assist in customer service roles such as selling tickets, serving food and drink and keeping the pavilion clean. The pavilion operates the first week of Folkorama, Aug. 5 to 11. Volunteers of all cultural backgrounds are welcome. Contact Edith Samuels at vivabrazil.volunteers@gmail.com.     

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba needs volunteers. They must be 16 or older; all skill levels welcome. Habitat builds Tuesday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and provides everything you need to build, including steel-toed boots and tools. To learn more, go to www.habitat.mb.ca, or sign up at https://habitatmbca.volunteerhub.com.

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