Active Aging

OCTOBER 1-7, 2019 ACTIVE AGING WEEK 11 Looking For A New Home? Convenience, comfort and affordability are what make our properties stand out. For current vacancies, please visit our website or call our head office at 204.940.3450 *Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada underwrites all life and income replacement benefits. ®*The Blue Cross symbol and name and Colour of Caring are registered marks of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, independently licensed by Manitoba Blue Cross. †Blue Shield is a registered trade-mark of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. 2019-0905 Get a quote at mb.bluecross.ca or contact your insurance broker Personal health plans Perhaps not surprisingly, older Manitobans are the greatest contributors to volunteerism, but younger people are starting to catch up, Hunt said. Both demographics are contributing to Manitoba being the second-most generous province in Canada with respect to donations of time, trailing only Saskatchewan. Of course, there are physical benefits of volunteering, such as having higher energy levels. "If you're going to sit on the couch, you won't have the same energy levels as if you're out and about and engaged and socially connected with other people," she said. Volunteers can also provide highly valuable services to non-profit organizations. For example, a retired community planner could lend their expertise to an organization that wants to create a new green space but can't afford a designer. Hunt believes this kind of pro bono work is effectively its own economy. "If you took away all of the volunteers in Manitoba, many non-profits would shut down," she said. There also exist somewhat less obvious opportunities. Boards may looking for directors to help shape the future direction of the companies they oversee and include not-for- profit organizations and clubs of various kinds. Hunt said retired people can bring their years of experience in management to help set the direction for an organization, make decisions or set policy. "A lot of people don't understand that not-for profits have more volunteers that keep the doors open than paid staff. A lot of gaps need to be filled," she said. Sports and Special Olympics coaches are often in demand, as are cooking assistants, gardeners, graphic designers and people helping out at drop- in shelters. If you're interested in doing some volunteering, check out Volunteer Manitoba's website at volunteermanitoba.ca, where there are hundreds of opportunities available at any one time. Frank Crew was given an award for his lifelong commitment to helping others and volunteering in the community of Birtle. Margaret Peters was given an award for her countless volunteer hours and dedication to the Thrive Thift Shop, a social enterprise of Thrive Community Support Circle.

• Cover