Face to Face – Meet Our Volunteers
Our volunteers come from near and far, with all sorts of backgrounds, talents and skills that are put to use every day at Matthews House. Here, we meet a few of them, Face to Face.
Face to Face with…..
Delores MacKenzie
House Volunteer
About you…
I was brought into Matthews House by my daughter-in-law, Dana MacKenzie. My good friend, Lynda Usher, had also suggested that I might enjoy helping out at the House, she is now my Team Leader. I retired from the Insurance business in January 2012 and immediately enrolled in the 30 hour Hospice training program. I wanted to keep busy and be involved with the community.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
My job at present is working in the House for 2 afternoons a week. I answer the telephone, do a number of jobs around the home and help staff prepare for functions and group sessions. I also like to bake for functions and have recently done quite a bit of baking for recent training sessions. I have met some wonderful people and realize how lucky I am to be healthy and able to volunteer.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
Be a part of what you are doing – meet the people, get involved and enjoy yourself!
What’s your favourite?…
Comfort food? - Apple pie with ice-cream.
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? - Shopping and a hot-tub.
Pastime? - My family, knitting and reading.
Marie McKillican
House Team Leader
About you…
I was recruited into hospice at Giant Tiger of all places, by one of the very first MH volunteers, Marion McGregor. The managing team at the time knew me and my story… they felt that both my husband and I would benefit from being involved (we had lost our son).
What are you doing at Matthews House?
I have been a volunteer since before Matthews House opened. I am a retired nurse but choose not to work directly with clients. In fact, I looked after the scheduling of volunteers for the House when it first opened and now I am Team Leader for all House volunteers. I’ve shopped for the House – Sally knows that I love a bargain – and helped with fundraising. My job at present is to manage the House – I tend to be the cupboard and fridge cleaner and I do laundry too. House volunteers do garbage, fill soap dispensers, make coffee for clients and enjoy a chat with them too. We answer the telephone and make phone calls to remind clients and volunteers of upcoming Wellness and Support Group appointments. Sometimes we photocopy, shred, stuff envelopes and even write a thank you letter or two. House volunteering is a mixture of lots of small jobs but all are important to the smooth running of the House, and the support of staff and visiting clients. As a retired nurse, it is not what I did for 30 years but I enjoy it.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
Enjoy what you’re doing as a volunteer. Try something different, there are lots of jobs to be done. Try the programs that run out of the house like Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation etc. I found that I really enjoy Yoga (and didn’t expect to one bit!).
What’s your favourite?…….
Comfort food? – Home-made anything and chocolate.
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? – Shopping, as I said I love a bargain!
Pastime? - My family (especially my 2 grandsons), friends and reading.
CHERYL NUTTAL
client visiting volunteer, gardener, events and baking/catering
Shannon Pride
About you?
Hello everyone! My name is Shannon Star Pride, I am 27 years old and a mother of one (Wyatt, age 4). I am First Nations, my Astrological sign is Scorpio and my favourite colour is yellow! I am currently heading in to my second year at Humber College in Orangeville, to earn my diploma in Social Service Work and will be graduating as of
April 2013. Yippee!! Helping others is a great passion of mine and with this diploma I will be able to help some of those in need.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
I have been here at MHH since January 2012 on a school placement, my school placement ended in April and I was so very fortunate to be offered a summer position here at MHH. I am currently providing the position of “Client Care Assistant” and this position entails working towards creating a better synergy with community organizations and liaising with Stevenson Memorial Hospital to work with people who are newly diagnosed. My summer job will come to an end at the end of August and I will be coming back here every Monday and Tuesday from September to April for my second year school placement. In September I will be learning about grief and bereavement and working more with the H.U.G.S. Program. After April who knows, the sky is the limit! I absolutely love the work that I am doing here and look forward to learning so much more.
Best advice you can offer your fellow volunteer:
Wow, best advice…… I’m not sure, I guess I would just say, please keep doing what you are doing, I have never met a group of more dedicated, kind, smart people in my life. This is an amazing organization, keep up the great work, and thank you so much for the warm welcome!
What is your favourite comfort food?
Ooooh it’s hard to list just one, I have many! I really love poutine, homemade pizza, and my mom’s pasta….. To name a few!
What is your favourite indulgence / guilty pleasure?
Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!!
What is your favourite pastime?
My Family! I love to spend time with my family and doing fun stuff with them. I also love to bake and read a good book when I have the chance.
Matthews House Gardeners
With Matthews House Gardeners… a lot of work goes into making our gardens look so beautiful. We asked some of our gardeners to take time-out in-between planting, weeding and watering to tell us a bit about themselves.
About the Group…
The Garden Group is co-facilitated by Bob Murray, Elaine Hill and Pat Wigle – there are about 10 in the group, predominantly volunteers but some clients too. At any given time during the summer, including weekends, you will find our gardeners pottering around doing odd jobs to keep it all looking so lush. We caught up with Pat, Elaine, Hazel and Glenda for this interview.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
Elaine - I was designated Master Gardener in 1988, came originally to Matthews House as a design consultant for the garden, and never left. I like dirt and couldn’t walk past a weed without pulling it.
Pat – I have volunteered in many different roles at Matthews House, helping with Circle groups for clients and caregivers, and acting as relief for House volunteers. Now my main focus is the garden. Waggs (my dog and honorary Garden Group member) and I are here whenever I have time.
Glenda - I helped build the bridge here in the garden and currently I am staining it. I don’t like to garden, but there are always other jobs to be done.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
Elaine - Bring your clients to the garden: it is peaceful, beautiful and a wonderful place to relax. Phone your friends and let them know.
Pat – Do what you can, when you can, and enjoy yourself.
Hazel – Give a call to Kelly, and see what volunteer roles you would be best suited to – there is a job for everyone. I love gardening.
What’s your favourite?
Comfort food? – Spareribs, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti with meat sauce and lots of cheese! Guess who likes what?
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? – JuJubes, chocolate sauce, wine.
Pastime?
Elaine – Painting flowers and landscapes with watercolours.
Pat - Tai Chi, riding, quilting
Glenda – Golf
Hazel – Reading, painting, walking
Ray Culliton
Face to Face
With Ray Culliton: client volunteer (currently visiting with his 46 th client, well done Ray!)
About you…
I was born in 1927 and raised in Toronto. I received my high school education at De La Salle “Oaklands” and graduated from U of T – St Mike’s in 1950. I married a wonderful woman in 1952 by the name of Marty Williams. Being
a good catholic, we followed the ‘Rhythm Method’ and were blessed with seven beautiful children shortly thereafter. This method is better than any fertilization program. By the way, I have 17 grandchildren and one and a half
great-grandchildren. With reference to my career, I have been in Sales, mainly in plastic packaging. It was a career I truly enjoyed and was very successful at – it was a pleasure to go to work each day. When ever you enjoy
doing something, the more successful you will be at it.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
I truly believe that each of us have an obligation to our communities for all the wonderful benefits, pleasures and opportunities that we receive living here in Canada and Ontario. We are the envy of the world. For these reasons, when I retired I felt obliged to get involved in our community. First I joined the Alliston Rotary Club and was President in 1986. Next it was with the Beeton detachment of the OPP. However, I wanted something more… something more personal. I wanted my own “hands-on experience”. I wanted to be a ‘caregiver’ for the clients of Matthews House. I successfully completed the Hospice Care Education Program on April 17, 1999 which launched me on a happy, healthy and rewarding career with Hospice. I have met 46 exceptional, fine gentlemen in my Hospice career. I have learned so
much from each of them. I heard their life stories – about their families – work experience – social life – hobbies etc. This is mainly my fault – I kept asking questions that kept them talking!!
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
Develop the art and science of “active listening”. When you have accomplished that gift, you will have a client who will speak freely, and the more he talks about himself and his worries and pleasures – the stronger the bond you will have with him and the more you can help him. He will feel that you listening really means that you care about him and are there to help him. It is sad to say that there are clients out there who have never had a listener and for him you are the next best thing since sliced bread!
What’s your favourite?
Comfort food? Any ice-cream with chocolate sauce.
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? Any red wine from Vine Haven in Alliston.
Pastime? Allowing my 7 kids to entertain me and feed me. Watching over my flock of sheep (32) – the coyotes already got one last week. Cutting the grass and spraying Scotch Thistle. And Hospice… I see my client one day a week for his needs and then off to Wendy’s.
Sue Bowser
Sue Bowser: Office & Admin Volunteer, Website & Facebook Designer / Editor, Events Committee
About you…
I was born and raised in Fredericton, N.B. I have a blended family with two sons, a daughter, and two grandsons of my own and a step-daughter and grand-daughter with my husband. I was the Branch Manager of the CS Co-op Credit Union at C.F.B. Borden until it closed its doors in 2003 and I retired. Now, I enjoy time with my husband, children, grandchildren, getting out and about with my Red Hat group, going online to keep in touch with my very large family, and traveling to distant places.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
My neighbour down the street, Pat James, introduced me to Matthews House. I had just gone through breast cancer and had finished my treatments, and was looking for something to do. She was the Volunteer Coordinator at the time and showed me around the house and sparked my interest. I took the 30 hour Volunteer course in May of 2008 and decided to help in the house when I graduated. After being in an office most of my life, it was my niche. My daughter is a web designer and when Matthew House was looking for a new design, I volunteered her services. She developed today’s website and showed me how to manage it. Now, I can post entries at any time from home and away. Last winter we spent 3 months in Arizona and with daily and weekly updates from the staff, I was able to keep the website up to date. It’s very easy to learn, so if any volunteers out there would like to help me with it, I’d be happy to show you the ropes. Thanks to another volunteer, we have also started a FaceBook page and I update it too. I also volunteer during any fundraising events and have been there for the Tree of Remembrance, Hearts for Hospice and the Hike for Hospice. I also participate at information booths, getting the public aware of Matthews House and what we do.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
Do something positive every day to someone else, even if it’s just a smile. Your heart will be healthier for it!!
What’s your favourite?
Comfort food? ~~ Any bread, I’m a carbaholic!!
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? ~~ The internet – the computer sucks hours out of my day.
Pastime? ~~ Spending time with my 10 month old grandson and the rest of the family ~ traveling.
Joyce Raymond
Joyce Raymond: Nursing home client volunteer, house volunteer
About you…
Born in Nova Scotia in 1950, daughter of a hard working fisherman father and a wonderful stay-at-home mom. Had a great childhood, married my high school sweetheart at 19 and was the mother of 2 children by the age of 22. As my husband was employed with RBC, we were transferred many times and came to Ontario in 1976. I also was employed with RBC for 25 years. We retired to Tillsonburg in 2005 to enjoy our well deserved golden years, enjoying all that retirement offers. In 2009 my husband of 40 years died suddenly of a heart condition. It took me awhile to make a few very important decisions. Because our daughter lives in Barrie and our son in Toronto, I really felt I needed at this time to be near them and also our 4 grandchildren, thus the move to Alliston. I have never looked back. In one short year I am surrounded by my family, wonderful new friends, lots of new activities, new adventures, and good health. My cup is full.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
The first thing I really noticed when I drove into Alliston was Matthews House. I moved into Briar Hill December 2010 and noticed an advertisement in the local paper requesting volunteers. I signed up immediately for the 8 week training workshop the following February. I truly felt it was a place I needed to be. It was a decision that I have never regretted. The people I have met both during the program and in-house have been warm, sincere, caring people. Just being there, and about with clients has made me realize I am not alone, but have been truly blessed. I especially enjoy working at Matthews House just answering the phones and meeting the many people that come by for activities.
I have just had my first visit with a wonderful new client that is so delightful that I can’t wait for our next get together. Kelly, our volunteer coordinator, has a special knack for matching you with the right person.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
Just go with your heart. The rest will all follow. There will always be someone in the house to go to, listen to your concerns and advise you. You will reap many personal rewards by just being there for someone. There is no greater gift than helping others. Sometimes it is just as simple as listening.
What’s your favourite?
Comfort food? ~~ Probably any kind of pasta.
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? ~~ A good glass of wine and classical music.
Pastime? ~~ Working out at the gym, love to travel, live theater, volunteering, church, having special times with family.
Reverend Ann Harbridge
Reverend Ann Harbridge: Volunteer newsletter editor, volunteer training, spiritual guidance to clients
About you…
I am a mother of three, with 7 wonderful grandchildren, ranging in age from 1 year to 16 years. The 1 and 4 year old, along with their parents share my home, so they keep me young! I used to manage a paint warehouse, but had an awakening about 9 years ago and entered Ministry. I am now a United Church Minister, and serve the wonderful congregation of Trinity Centennial in Rosemont. I love to garden, sew, camp, and read. And I’ve been known to wield a hammer on occasion. I built myself a gazebo last summer while on Sabbatical.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
I started out at Matthews House about 7 years ago (I think) as a volunteer visiting clients in their homes. Because of my erratic schedule and other commitments, this became challenging, and so since then I have taken on other roles instead. Prior to InfoAnywhere, I maintained a database of volunteers and their hours, I’ve provided volunteer training, particularly around “Spiritual Issues of Death & Dying” and look forward to meeting the next group of volunteers to be trained this winter/spring. I’ve helped to facilitate the grief support group in the past, and am now the editor of the monthly volunteer newsletter.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
There is no better exercise for heart and soul than reaching out to help another person.
What’s your favourite?
Comfort food? ~~ Potato chips
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? ~~ Chocolate and red wine (together!)
Pastime? ~~ So many… reading, playing Wii with my grandson, sewing….
Nancy Small
Nancy Small: Team Leader & Co-facilitator of the Caregiver Support Group
About you…
Hi, my name is Nancy Small. I am an RN, currently working at a local Nursing Home and also volunteering at MHH. I have lived in the area, for over 30 years and have been touched by Cancer and other terminal illnesses. I live in a house with my hubby and best friend. I have an Australian Shepherd dog, which is always by my side. We enjoy going for walks, but mostly he enjoys jumping up in the air, doing tricks while catching a frizbee. I love to bake, especially tea biscuits and comfort foods. I have 2 grown children and no grandchildren yet! I have been volunteering at Matthews House since 2009.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
I started by volunteering with one client one evening a week. From there, I took a facilitator course through MHH and started co-facilitating with the Caregiver Support Group. We meet the 2nd Thursday of the month at MHH and on the 4th Thursday we go for lunch in Beeton to just have fun and enjoy a laugh or two. In 2011, I took on the role of Team Leader, supporting our volunteers in whatever way I can. As a volunteer there can be many challenges, especially the emotional roller-coaster we sometimes face. I hope I am able to smooth out the ride a little.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
The best advice I can offer to a new volunteer is… remember you are never alone at MHH. If you have a concern of any kind please pick up the phone, send an e-mail and someone will get back to you. Take part in the on-going training, it will not only help you with your client care, but could also help you at home.
What’s your favourite?
Comfort food? ~~ My favourite comfort food is macaroni and cheese, made by my mother in law.
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? ~~ My guilty pleasure is… Miss Vicky Potato Chips and ranch dip.
Pastime? ~~ I enjoy camping in our RV, especially at Arrowhead Provincial Park, walking in the rustling leaves of the fall, spending time with friends, and if we get enough snow, learning how to snow shoe.
Irene Wilson
Irene Wilson: House Volunteer, Office Help & Driver
About you…
I have been a volunteer all of my life – my parents and grandparents volunteered and as children my brother and I were expected to join in. We have just continued from there. I knew that when I retired I wanted to spend time volunteering.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
On Tuesday at the House I answer the telephone and retrieve messages from the answering machine, greet clients, have tea or coffee and chat with them while they wait for an appointment or therapy. Also, I make up the assessment packages for new clients and make sure that we have sufficient packages on hand for the week. On Friday’s, I answer the telephone, take messages and do some data entry if needed. Of course, there is always the dishwasher to load and empty! House volunteers also keep the kitchen neat and tidy.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
Enjoy your time in the House! There are so many activities that there is always something needing done or someone to help. We meet the most fantastic people.
What’s your favourite?
Comfort food? ~~ Homemade soup! French fries from a good chip wagon.
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? ~~ Indulgence: dark chocolate with peanut butter ice cream, best thing on earth when I feel down. Guilty pleasure: spending a day reading for pleasure.
Pastime? ~~ Traveling and cycling in the summer and Scottish Country Dancing in the winter. My comfort foods and indulgences demand that I must do the cycling and dancing.
Kathy Duncan
Kathy Duncan: Resident Reiki Practitioner & Reflexologist, Fundraising & Events Committee
About you…
I am a single parent to a beautiful daughter and two wonderful sons. I have lived in this community most of my life and have always believed that a strong community fosters healthy growth. Volunteering is one way I’ve found to strengthen community bonds. I have taken a turn coaching sports so that my children would be able to play, I`ve taken part in community events and, when I felt there was need of it, raised my voice along with others so that we would be clearly heard. I have been studying and practicing Holistic therapies for ten years or so. The benefits to myself and my family have been considerable.
What are you doing at Matthews House?
A little over 2 year ago I began to donate my time and skill as a Reiki practitioner and a Reflexologist. Several months later I found that there was a need for volunteers on the Events Committee. I still donate my time to clients on Wednesday evenings and continue to plan and execute events to raise funds and awareness for Matthews House.
What’s the best advice you can offer to your fellow volunteers?
Find an area where you really enjoy yourself, then express that joy in your own unique way. If you enjoy decorating, there are plenty of events that could be beautified; if you enjoy talking with people, there are plenty of events where your gift would be appreciated. Have fun, make the most of your time.
What’s your favourite?
Comfort food? ~~ Chinese, love it!
Indulgence / guilty pleasure? ~~ Chick flicks, can’t get enough!
Pastime? ~~ My garden in the summer, salacious novels in the winter, expanding my perceptions year round.
