Volunteering

THE MULTI-CULTURAL FIESTA – June 26 2015

Every year Ogden House 50+ Seniors Activity Club and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society celebrate the multi-cultural heritage of their senior members. It is a wonderful event in which seniors from all over the world, who now live in Calgary, come together for a pot luck and to share the unique cultures through dress, entertainment and food.

I enjoy attending this particular event, as I can sense the seniors excitement as they fill the room, visit with their long time friends and meet new ones. It is contagious.

INTRODUCTIONS

What is your name and where are you from?

This year a minimum of 11 countries were represented. Brazil, Guatemala, Korea, Nigeria, Poland, Denmark, England, Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, Nicaragua and a few others that I cannot remember.

ENTERTAINMENT: Some of the groups practice their showcase performances for months before the fiesta. Others have the confidence to wing it.

MUSICAL INTERLUDES

SINGERS

…

DANCERS

HISTORICAL TALES & POETRY

DOOR PRIZES & WINNERS

POT LUCK LUNCH

For lunch, everyone brings an food item from their home country. The auditorium fills with the smells of cooking from all over the world. Noodles, enchiladas, casseroles, Cornish pasties, cabbage rolls, chicken, rice, sandwiches, samosas, salads and fragrant desserts, their aromas mingle in the air to create an exquisite scent all of its own. I made Canadian style Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad, it is my own version where all the ingredients are purchased from a store in Canada, therefore, as far as I’m concerned it is a Canadian dish.

I find it exciting to see the dances, hear the music and taste the delicious food from other countries. It satisfies my worldly curiosity.

Cheryle July 2015

Yes, I am a volunteer. I have many skills and instead of letting them waste away with disuse I keep them sharp and up to date. I believe in service and helping. As long as I believe I am helping, I am happy. I think I was born to be a helpmate. Currently I volunteer at a seniors club, at a non-profit for meditation and I deliver bread from a Cobbs Bakery to a Family Resource Centre in my neighbourhood.

Ogden House 50+ is an active Seniors Club, with many ongoing and periodic activities scheduled for its’ many members. I sit at the front desk once a week for 2.5 hours, I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity. I greet everyone who comes into the club, I will eventually know all of their faces, names and interests. I think of each one of them as my friend. I am an introvert who is able to handle this type of social interaction.

I have fun maintaining the activities board and corresponding binder. This way I can help any member who wishes to sign up or know what is going on. I handle a small petty cash, so members can purchase tickets for the TGIF, pay for classes or buy crafts and memberships. I also help in many other ways. I take photos at events and helped out with the very first calendar the Club has published. I had such a good time collecting the props, learned a lot about the publishing of a calendar and loved making sure the models felt like the pampered stars they are.

There are so many activities during the month for social members. On the 2nd Friday of the month is the TGIF – dinner with club members, sometimes with entertainment and always an evening of fun for only $12.00. Members get together weekly for Pot luck or pizza lunches, Happy hour on Friday, and to celebrate special events. Monthly they attend meetings, special event celebrations and one of a kind activities.

Active members can choose from Table Tennis, we have a skilled membership of award winning players, Zumba, Move N Mingle, Fit 2 Age, Aerobics, Yoga, Carpet bowling, musical and drama clubs are all options available to those who wish to maintain an active healthy lifestyle. The Woodworking shop is fully equipped for the creation of individual projects or gifts for sharing with friends. Members who enjoy a more quiet challenge can participate in: Yoga, Tai Chi, Painting, Art classes, billiards & snooker or read a book from the library.

We have members who enjoy travelling to Rosebud for the plays, Canmore for the mountains and a meal at the Rose N Crown and those who sign up for the musicals or the comedies mounted by Stage West.

Yes, I am a volunteer, but not the only one. Members, all 50 years and above are happy to offer their special skills or expertise to make this Club a busy happy place to be. The volunteering opportunities are numerous and varied. Casinos, Quilting, Craft Sales, board members, assistance in the kitchen or serving dinners, decorating or sitting on special project committees are just a few ways a person can contribute.

Come on in and check out this little club with the Big Big heart, I am positive there is something that will interest you to stay

Feb 7, 2015

Cheryle