Watch above: Saskatchewan has the highest rate of volunteerism per capita in the country and National Volunteer week helps put a spotlight on the people devoting time to the causes. Carly Robinson meets a Saskatoon couple who embodies the spirit of giving.
SASKATOON – Volunteering is a way of life for Peter and Elaine Zakreski. Between the two of them, they have given endless time, energy and expertise to numerous causes in Saskatoon and beyond.
They are some of the numerous hard working volunteers being celebrated in the volunteer capital during National Volunteer Week.
For Peter, volunteerism is the best thing about this city.
“It’s because of what volunteers are doing in this city that it is a joy to live in this city, to be part of this city and to be able to give back to this city whenever we can,” explained Peter.
The time that other people might spend golfing or at the lake, Elaine and Peter donate to various organizations and sit on numerous boards and committees. They have also founded an aid organization to help end poverty in Malawi, called “Hope for Malawi.”
Its an experience Elaine can only describe as life changing.
“It’s such a life enriching thing, to meet people and to know yourself better through other people as well. I also can see the difference it can make in peoples’ lives, to be involved. It’s given us a far bigger life than we could ever have imagined.”
Peter would be unable to count the hours he has given to numerous causes, saying it’s not why you volunteer.
“At the end of the day you say ‘wow, I was involved in that. And I helped make this happen.’ It’s just great.”
The Zakreski’s are part of Saskatoon’s vibrant community of volunteers. The United Way says that they alone need over a thousand in order to offer their service to the community
READ MORE: United Way Saskatoon campaign raises $6.3 million
The United Way’s interim CEO Myra Potter notes just how essential volunteerism is for the community.
“So much wouldn’t get done if we didn’t have the vast number of volunteers committed to making our community better.”
“From social services to arts, sports, healthcare, charities; there are just so many things that wouldn’t exist and so many great things that wouldn’t get done if volunteers didn’t step up.”
National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18.
Comments