Volunteer gig at WECC made beautiful music
Retiree found healing at famous city concert venue
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/11/2021 (1593 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Many people turn to music to cope during difficult times, and Barb Reimer is no exception.
Reimer’s father died suddenly in 1997 at the age of 73. He was a farmer near Plum Coulee, known for his work ethic and sense of humour, and his death was traumatic for Reimer’s family.
Shortly after her father’s death, Reimer attended a concert at the West End Cultural Centre. She decided that volunteering at the famed venue, located at the corner of Ellice Avenue and Sherbrook Street, would be a good way to spend some of her free time away from her day job as a nurse at Grace Hospital.
“It was a really healing thing for me to get exposed to new artists I might not otherwise hear about,” says Reimer, 66, who retired in 2010. “I really like the family atmosphere of the (volunteer) crews; the staff treat the volunteers so well and the venue’s commitment to involvement in the community really aligns with my beliefs.”
Reimer, who grew up listening to Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin, volunteered at the venue at least twice a month prior to the pandemic. From taking tickets to selling merchandise, she helped out in a variety of different capacities. Most often, she could be found serving drinks at the bar.
When she wasn’t volunteering at the WECC before COVID-19, Reimer was attending concerts three or four times a week at venues throughout the city.
“When I first started volunteering at the West End, I learned to appreciate how much talent Winnipeg musicians have,” she says. “That’s what really drew me in.”
Scott Nolan, the Small Glories, Leaf Rapids and the D. Rangers are a few of Reimer’s favourites. Del Barber, Sweet Alibi and William Prince also make the list.
“I sort of threw myself into (music) when my dad died, and it continued to be a source of healing for me when my partner died eight years ago and when my mom died four years ago,” Reimer says. “Music has been just a big comfort.”
Like music venues around the world, the WECC was forced to cancel shows and shut its doors when the pandemic started. With the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, the WECC is open once again with a variety of concerts on the calendar for music fans who can show proof of vaccination.
Reimer, who enjoys travelling and typically spends six weeks each year visiting family in Mexico, kept busy during the pandemic going for daily walks in Assiniboine Park and knitting. She took up the latter pastime about a year before the pandemic started, and estimates that she has knit 150 toques since things first shut down in March 2020.
She is hoping to get back to volunteering at the venue in the new year.
“You’re made to feel appreciated and valued at the WECC, and I think that’s a really big thing,” she says. “It stands out as one of the best places I’ve volunteered at.”
The West End Cultural Centre is always looking for new volunteers. Anyone interested can email info@wecc.ca.
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, 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.
Empathy Squad makes a difference through the power of storytelling. Volunteers will collect stories, learn podcasting skills, meet new people from different walks of life and collaborate with future leaders. The program is about 12 hours a week, with a commitment of 12 weeks, in a virtual setting across Canada. Apply at http://wfp.to/HNY before Dec. 1.
Friends Housing operates a 28-unit apartment building providing supported, independent living for people with mental illnesses, and a 15-unit townhouse complex for low-income families. Board members are needed. Previous board experience — or accounting, legal or fundraising expertise — would be an asset but is not necessary. Go to http://wfp.to/HDP to learn more about Friends Housing. Apply to board chairman John Gosselin at jgosseli@mts.net. The deadline is Nov. 30.
Fireweed Food Co-op is seeking a treasurer for a two-year term on its board of directors. The volunteer should have an interest in local food, social enterprise or community-led projects and have experience in finance and administration. Apply at http://wfp.to/HQN or email info@fireweedfoodcoop.ca before Friday.
The Women’s Health Research Foundation of Canada is expanding membership on its volunteer board. Applicants should have a keen interest in promoting women’s health by supporting research. A background in fundraising, accounting, or marketing and communications would be helpful. Applicants should send a resumé and brief overview of their community/volunteer experience, and their interest in the research foundation, to donna.chow@umr.umanitoba.ca.
Evermore Gather Grow Lead is seeking board members. The organization, formerly the West Central Community Program, provides recreational and developmental programming for area youth. Members attend monthly meetings (usually held at 6 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month), the annual general meeting and possibly some committee meetings. Call 204-772-9315 or email info@evermoreggl.com.
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is an opportunity to prepare returns for people with low incomes and simple tax situations. Volunteers interview clients, prepare their returns and determine eligibility for benefits. Training is provided through extensive interactive online training sessions, and on-the-job mentoring and resources. Volunteers are needed weekdays this March and April. Interviewing skills and computer knowledge would be helpful. Some experience preparing taxes is an asset but not necessary. For more information or to apply, email Morgan Marshall of Community Financial Counselling Services at morganm@cfcs.mb.ca or go to http://wfp.to/HFn.
The Canadian Red Cross is seeking volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to www.redcross.ca/volunteer, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
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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