Meet a COVID-19 super volunteer

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This article was published 29/07/2021 (679 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a global crisis and a challenge for society at every level around the world.

With the pandemic seemingly on its way out, Manitobans can anticipate a huge sigh of relief and can now reflect on some of the many unsung heroes of the pandemic, such as the province’s front-line workers and thousands of dedicated volunteers.

Rufino Ranon is one of those amazing COVID-19 volunteers. He is a very active member of the Bayanihan (Filipino for ‘helping the community’).

Bayanihan sa Winnipeg was founded over two years ago by Edison Garcia and Dante Cruz. It’s a network of Winnipeggers who organize and volunteer to provide assistance to anyone, especially the most vulnerable in Winnipeg and in the Philippines.

Rufino is a resident of The Maples and is on the staff of the maintenance department of the Seven Oaks School Division. He volunteers on a few community organizations, including the Maples Community Centre and with Bayanihan sa Winnipeg, where his unceasing dedication truly shone during the full fury of COVID-19.

Some of the many valuable things Bayanihan sa Winnipeg and Rufino are involved in include: distributing masks, sanitizing supplies and distributing COVID-19 prevention posters to several neighbourhood and community organizations.

Since March 2020, the Bayanihan team members regularly don protective outfits and deliver donated food to front-line health-care workers at Seven Oaks Hospital, Misericordia Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre. Some of the generous sponsors of the program are Bakerite Winnipeg, Aristocrat Restaurant and MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre).

In the aftermath of the 2020 Philippines Taal volcano eruptions, Rufino and his fellow volunteers of Bayanihan organized humanitarian reliefs for those affected in their homeland.

“There is never a bad time to be helpful and kind,” Rufino said. “It’s said that sharing and giving results in lightening of the burdens and the expansion of joy and happiness.”

Derek Dabee is a member of the board of trustees of Seven Oaks School Division and a community correspondent for The Maples. You can contact him at ddabee@mymts.net