 Peter has been delivering Meals on Wheels for the past year and has become a very valued member of the team! Hailing from Zurich, Switzerland Peter moved to Calgary at the age of 20 to work as a baker. After a year, Peter set out on a quest to see the Pacific Ocean and ended up working at a new Four Seasons hotel in Vancouver. Through working in various hotels Peter became familiar with Tauck tour company where he then worked for 25 years as one of their most beloved tour director managers, travelling all across the globe.
During this time, around 25 years ago, Peter became ill with yellow jaundice when living in North Vancouver. He received Meals on Wheels for three months while he was recovering and it was such a help to him that he decided he would volunteer when he retired. And he did! He says, “I always knew it would be Meals on Wheels. I used to tell the tour guests that was my retirement plan”. The best part about the role for Peter is visiting with the clients each day, he enjoys getting to know the people that he serves and would recommend Meals on Wheels volunteering for anyone who is compassionate and service orientated.
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 Christine is in her final year studying finance at UBC. She also works part time at TD Canada Trust and has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels for almost a year. Christine got involved in the program after a colleague, who used to volunteer with Meals on Wheels, recommended it to her.
“I wanted to volunteer working with seniors, so this is a good fit for me. I love spending time with our clients and getting to know them. The best part about this role is hearing their stories and being able to talk to them about their lives. The social aspect of Meals on Wheels is the most important part to me, I know that lots of the clients really appreciate the interaction and I do too! I’d recommend this role to anyone who is empathetic and patient- with a good sense of direction! It’s really rewarding.”  Jason grew up and went to school in Ontario then decided to move to BC in 2001. He has been a massage therapist for 14 years and loves bluegrass and folk music.
Jason has been volunteering for Meals on Bikes for four years and says: “I wanted to find a way to get more into biking culture in the city and I saw an ad for Meals on Bikes- it fits in perfectly and has been a great role for me as I get out of the house, go for a bike ride and connect with the members of my community. For me over the past few years this role has really been about commitment to the route that I do (I deliver in the Mount Pleasant area) and the clients that I have been getting to know. Making sure that I am there every week to chat to people and check in with them is important to me and I love to see how they’re doing.”  Francoise has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels since 1996. Francoise fits in her volunteering around her job with Air Canada who she has been with for 29 years.
“I love what I do! I fit my volunteering in around my shift work as well as being President of a women’s sorority group and looking after my grandmother in Surrey. I enjoy giving and helping out. I also really enjoy the company of seniors- eventually I may like to move into this area of work. Interaction with seniors and ensuring that they are properly nourished is key for me. It’s all about providing some time to be social and exchange a few kind words while giving people the security of a visit each day; it’s important to make the visit count. The seniors are such an asset in my life; they can be a real eye opener and teach me patience and grace.” Francoise also got another asset from her volunteering: “I met my husband through Meals on Wheels! I was delivering in the Mount Pleasant area at the same time as him and we met at the depot. We ended up having lunch that day and it went from there. We have been married for twelve years.” |
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Health & Home Care Society of BC
204 - 3077 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6H 3J9 TEL: 604-733-6614 TEL (Service in Cantonese): 604-733-6615 FAX: 604-733-6698 Charitable Tax No. 13082-8791-RR0001 |
Family Respite Centre
2711 East 49th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5S 1K3 TEL: 604-327-9525 FAX: 604-327-9528 |