Posts Tagged ‘volunteer opportunities’

Lend a Helping Hand in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain or Parkland County

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015
Lend a Helping Hand in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain or Parkland County | Spruce Grove Stony Plain Parkland County Real Estate | Barry Twynam

(Image by KiddaiKiddee Studio, courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

As a resident of the Tri-Municipal area of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Parkland County, you know that life here is pretty good. Our high standard of living and quality of life is much enhanced by the large number of people who give freely of their time and skills to help others. Of course, there’s payback for those friendly, giving folks too. They not only have the chance to do new things and meet new people, but they know that their volunteer contributions are real and appreciated. Besides, it just feels good to help!

If you’re new to the community, or maybe your life circumstances have changed, and you’re looking to make a difference, there are so many opportunities for volunteers to get involved.

How do you find out who could use your help?

Information about how to get involved with the many special events organized by the City throughout the year (such as the Canada Day celebration, or Spruce Up Spruce Grove Community Clean Up, for example), as well as various boards and committees (such as the Economic Development Advisory Committee, Horizon Stage Theatre Advisory Board, Spruce Grove Public Library Board, and numerous others).

See also volunteer opportunities for adults (such as Adopt-a-Driveway program, Meals on Wheels, Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, Horizon Stage opportunities including Stagelighters, Tech Team and Horizon Players, etc.) and volunteer opportunities for youth (Summer in the City, Canada Day Street Performers Festival and more).

  • Check out the Community Resource Directory (Green Book) for a listing of organizations throughout the Tri-Municipal region that use volunteers. Resources here include service clubs, groups, associations and societies of every type.

This centre acts as a hub, connecting organizations in Stony Plain and Parkland County needing volunteer assistance of every variety with people willing and able to help out. The range of volunteer jobs available at any one time is vast, ensuring a volunteer job for every skill and interest.

At the end of January 2015, volunteers were needed for health and social service organizations (such as the Alberta Cancer Foundation, WestView Health Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, Victim Services Society), youth concerns (Big Brothers Big Sisters, Zebra Club), sports (Special Olympics, Stony Plain Amateur Minor Ball Association), education and culture (Forest Green School, Parkland Adult Literacy, Stony Plain and Parkland Pioneer Museum, Multicultural Heritage Centre, Friends of the Stony Plain Library), and many more.

Check out also the opportunities listed on www.govolunteer.ca

  • Another good source of information is the weekly local newspaper (Grove Examiner in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain Reporter in Stony Plain).

Many volunteer opportunities aren’t advertised because the need is ongoing. Think of all the places you go in any given week. Could your child’s school use your skills? What about your church, or the local public library? How about joining Stony Plain’s volunteer fire department? All you’ll have to do is ask “Need some help?”, and you can bet that someone can put you to work!

Comments or questions about all the interesting things to do in our local communities? Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

Helping at Christmas

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

Helping at Christmas | Spruce Grove Stony Plain Parkland County Real Estate | Barry TwynamThe holiday season always seems to bring out the spirit of giving in people in the Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and Edmonton region.  While most of us exchange gifts with family and friends, many of us actively look for ways to help others.  My assistant told me about her brother and his family living in Vancouver who load up their vehicle every Christmas Day with sandwiches, cookies, oranges and warm beverages to distribute to the homeless on Hastings Street in downtown Vancouver.  I started wondering what opportunities for helping beyond tossing bills into a Salvation Army kettle there might be in our area.

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Local churches

If you belong to a church, you already know the programs and opportunities offered by your church.  If you are looking to join a local church, check out the comprehensive list in my Community Connections Business Directory.  Click on “Jump to Category” and then “Churches: Parkland County”, “Churches: Spruce Grove”, “Churches: Stony Plain”.  This information is also available in the Green Book Community Resource Directory.

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Parkland Food Bank

www.parklandfoodbank.org, 105 Madison Crescent, Spruce Grove AB T7X 3A3

780-962-4565

The Food Bank’s Stuff a Bus campaign ended on November 30, but donations of non-perishable food items and cash are welcomed with gratitude and enthusiasm all year round.  Volunteers will be put to work too!

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Tender Hearts Foundation

See article in The Grove Examiner entitled “Santa’s local workshop in Parkland County

Shoeboxes containing small gifts and treats are assembled and given to the elderly residents of nursing homes in the Parkland region.  Contact Joann Babineau to donate or volunteer:

#2, 52224, RR 275, Stony Plain AB T7Z 1Z3

Phone 780-968-0065

Email joreid@tbwifi.ca

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Kinette Club of Spruce Grove Christmas Hampers

Working with local schools, businesses and other service clubs, the Kinettes assemble and distribute 100s of hampers containing food, food certificates and gifts to needy families in Spruce Grove.

PO Box 3664, Spruce Grove AB T7X 2A9

780-962-2088

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Kinsmen Club of Stony Plain Christmas Hampers

PO Box 2231, Stony Plain AB T7Z 1X7

780-915-6934

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Parkland Area Youth Emergency Shelter (PAYES)

PO Box 2732, Stony Plain AB T7Z 1Y2

780-963-3595

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Christmas Bureau of Edmonton

“Providing a Festive Meal to Edmonton Families in Need”.  Donations are used to provide food hampers and food certificates.  The Christmas Bureau also coordinates with 630 CHED Santas Anonymous and the Edmonton Sun Adopt-a-Teen program.

Mailing address:  Christmas Bureau of Edmonton, PO BOX 16000, Edmonton AB T5J 4B4

Street address:  2nd Floor, 4230-118 Ave NW, Edmonton AB T5W 1A4 (2nd floor of Servus Credit Union Building)

Phone:  780-454-6074

Email:  mail@christmasbureau.ca

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630 CHED Santas Anonymous

Since 1955 providing toys for needy children in Edmonton.  Donations and volunteers welcome all year round, and toys right up until Christmas.  Toy deliveries for 2013 are taking place on December 14 and 15; drivers are always needed.

Santa’s Depot 12345-121 St, Edmonton

Mailing address and year-round donations:  5204-84 St NW, Edmonton AB T6E 5N8

Email:  santa@santasanonymous.ca

780-428-TOYS (8697)

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Edmonton Sun Adopt-a-Teen Program

Providing gifts for teens aged 13-17 from low income families in the Edmonton area.

2nd  Floor, 4230-118 Ave, Edmonton AB T5W 1A4

info@adoptateenedmonton.ca

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Women’s Shelters:

Women’s shelters are always in need of clothing, bedding, toiletries and children’s articles including toys, but the need is especially acute at Christmas.  Contact them to find out how you can help.

Edmonton Women’s Shelter (WIN House)

PO Box 20088, Edmonton AB T5W 5E6

780-471-6709

ewsed@winhouse.org

Lurana Shelter 

780-429-2002

director@luranashelter.com

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Youth Empowerment and Support Services

(formerly Youth Emergency Shelter Society)

9310-82 Ave, Edmonton AB T6C 0Z6

780-468-7070

yess@yess.org

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The Mustard Seed Edmonton 

Christmas Giving Opportunities.  http://www.theseed.ca/Christmas-Giving-Opportunities-Edmonton.html  Click on this link for a list of specific items (such as a travel mug filled with a coffee gift certificate, thermal socks, hand wipes, bus tickets, pocket hand warmers and a note of encouragement) that this organization gives to the needy at Christmas.

Mailing address:  PO Box 1842, Main Post Office, Edmonton AB T5J 2P2

Street address:  10568-114 St, Edmonton AB

780-426-5600

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So many formal organizations exist for helping others all year round, and many are specialized by type or age of person.  If this style of giving doesn’t appeal, why not look even closer to home?  Maybe there is an elderly or disabled person, or a young mother alone with her kids living on your street who could use your help in many ways, such as shoveling the driveway or getting groceries or providing a ride to an appointment.  And the best part is that when you help others in this way, you help yourself too!

I always welcome your comments and questions.  Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

 

Barry Twynam, Century 21 Leading
#1 14 McLeod Avenue, Spruce Grove, Alberta, T7X 3X3
Tel: 780-910-9669 Cell: 780-910-9669 Fax: 780-962-9699
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