‘An Evening with The Lending Cupboard’ proves an inspiring, community-building event!

 A celebration of National Volunteer Week!

National Volunteer Week is coming right up, and we are The Lending Cupboard are so excited to be able to both celebrate and showcase our fabulous team!

“Without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, TLC would not be able to provide the high level of service it does,” explained Volunteer Coordinator Brenda Radu. “Our team of 55 volunteers is responsible for cleaning, repairing, and maintaining the equipment; assisting the clients in their equipment loan needs, and delivering medical equipment to those who are unable to visit our facility. 

Radu noted that most of our volunteers who have chosen to volunteer with us, do so after using our service.  

“Many of our clients only require the equipment for a short period of time so it makes perfect sense to borrow instead of purchasing. They know how important it is to have easy access to this type of equipment especially for a patient who is recovering from a life-changing accident or surgery.  From the very first day I started as volunteer co-ordinator this dedicated team has shown me what compassion, empathy and commitment means.   They really care about TLC and the people it serves.  

Steve and Lorraine joined our team of volunteers just over four years ago, helping out in our cleaning and sanitization department.

Since coming onboard the couple have thoroughly enjoyed helping out at TLC. “Everyone that we have met has been so friendly,” said Lorraine. “We’ve made a lot of new friends, too.” Steve agreed. “It’s also about the ‘giving back’. I’ve always volunteered; and I’ve always belonged to something – like the Kinsmen Club and the Shriners – groups like that.”

For those looking for a volunteering gig, Steve and Lorraine encourage folks to give TLC a try. “Everybody is very helpful, and the atmosphere is very calm. You work at your pace,” said Lorraine. “And we feel like we’ve really accomplished something when we leave. It makes us feel good!”

Steve added that really, “It’s just an all-around good place to be! The people are great. And it’s a very upbeat atmosphere.”

Marlyne first signed on with us about four years ago, and has found her service at The Lending Cupboard to be a real source of fulfillment. “I worked at Red Deer regional for 37 years as a unit secretary and an LPN,” she explained, adding that she come onboard as a volunteer after her retirement.

“The atmosphere is great - and I do feel like it’s an extension of what I did through my life,” she said. “All of the equipment is very familiar to me.”

To those who might be considering volunteering in general, she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend that they give The Lending Cupboard a try!

“It’s a good place to come to, and it’s nice to be meeting people with difficulties who we can help,” she explained. “It makes a real difference.”

It’s also a great way to make new friends. “For me, that’s really important, too.”

Board Chair Amanda Blair also pointed out the importance of board members’ contributions are, too – which are also provided on a voluntary basis.

“There are really two kinds of boards – there are those that do the day to day tasks, but we are fortunate at TLC to have a talented executive director and strong staff, so we don’t need to get involved with the day-to-day,” she explained.

“We really get to do the governance side – we are focused on the mission and the vision – we do strategic planning and policy. That’s our role – we have a duty of care to ensure that the organization’s assets are well-managed, too,” she said.

That includes everything from TLC’s overall balance sheet to the organization’s people, its reputation and its goodwill in the community as well as moving the organization forward to where we want to be and making sure everything is in place to help us get there,” she said.

“It’s a very fulfilling and rewarding role, because The Lending Cupboard is such a good organization that does so much great work that is really needed. Essentially, Blair summed up the board’s responsibilities as ‘foresight, oversight and insight’.

“That’s a good way of looking at it,” she said, adding that the board comes complete with multiple skill sets which is a huge plus, too. “We have a really great board with a huge variety of talents and perspectives and they all bring those to the table. That wide variety also gives us the ability to help us with planning as we go forward.

“We have the financial perspective, the health care perspective, plus the policy and legal perspectives, too,” she said.

“I think what The Lending Cupboard stands for, and what it does in the community, is pretty unique. Understanding what it provides and the value of it, are definitely motivating factors for me.”

In the meantime, the search is always on for more folks to join our dedicated team!

“If you are looking for a place to volunteer that makes a real difference in someone’s life, TLC does that every day,” said Radu. “We work together as a team and not only does our equipment help those who need support after surgery, we also help those people who want to remain in their homes and remain independent.”

For more about signing on as a volunteer with TLC, call Brenda at 403-356-1678 ext. 203 or email volunteer@lendingcupboard.ca