Frank Wills Memorial Hall’s tables were filled with dedicated volunteers and community sponsors and littered with Canada Day-themed décor on Sunday evening.
The annual volunteer appreciation and wrap-up party held by Cochrane-based Seniors for Kids Society saw around 80 people turnout for dinner, speeches and honorary certificates presented to more than 40 people.
“First and foremost, it’s our volunteer commitment … it comes down to the people in our programs,” said event emcee and program co-ordinator Lynn Noble, crediting the success of the society to those individuals who donate their time year after year.
The vision of the society is to support intergenerational bonds between youth and seniors and connect local seniors to youth who either do not have grandparents or whose elders live afar.
For 20 years, the society has been building bonds between youth and seniors, operating its 10 programs each week throughout the school year in eight Cochrane and area schools as well as the Bethany Care Centre and the Seniors On The Bow Centre (SOTB).
Pauline Chornoby currently holds the title for the longest-running volunteer with the society. Having spent the span of her volunteer career in Holy Spirit School, “Grandma Pauline” has provided mentorship to 40 children.
“I didn’t have any of my own grandchildren nearby – they’re three hours away,” said Chornoby, a biological grandparent to nine children. “I just wanted to give back to the community.”
Chornoby, who also volunteers at the Bethany Care Centre, said she will continue to volunteer for the society for as long as she is able to.
“If you love kids and can be yourself with the kids, that’s all it takes.”
Christa Lukasavitch is a 2016 St. Tim’s grad who reflected fondly on the several years she spent with her mentor, Grandma Pauline.
“You looked forward to the afternoon - the 45 minutes went by so fast,” said the 19-year-old.
“You don’t realize this connection you have with the community until you’re brought into it.”
Lukasavitch also volunteered for the weekly SOTB program in her senior high school years. In her speech, she said she often runs into many of the seniors she worked with at her job at Two Pharmacy.
Joyce Edwards was all smiles as she walked up to the podium to collect her certificate and bouquet of flowers.
After eight years the Cochranite, who now resides at Big Hill Lodge seniors residence, is stepping down from her volunteer duties.
When asked about what she liked about the program, she quickly responded “everything.”
“There wasn’t a negative point about the program,” said Edwards. “I do miss it.”
Jack Tennant has been involved for nine years and society president for two.
“It’s simple and it’s easy … but it’s so rewarding to visit with the kids,” said Tennant, who has been involved with countless organizations and volunteer groups throughout his lifetime but maintains his “Grandpa Jack” status because it keeps him young.
Noble said there is always a need for volunteers – especially with requests from four additional schools to come online this year.
The society is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors that prides itself on its relationship with its senior volunteers for input on programs, procedures and the organization as a whole.
Noble, as program co-ordinator, facilitates programming with school support staff and manages senior volunteers and students.
The society began as a pilot program at Holy Spirit School in 1997, initially called the Cochrane Grandparent Program. Interest quickly piqued and by the following year the organization became the society it is known as today.
Volunteer commitments are a minimum of one hour each week September through June each year and “grandparents” take on a maximum of three students at one time.
Funded through community partners and donors, the society will be looking for a boost this year in order to fulfil programming requests at four new Cochrane and area schools; learn more at seniorsforkids.ca.
