A dedicated book enthusiast, Sandy Fildes had to wait until she retired before she could make a strong commitment to volunteering as a way of sharing her love with others. Her motto is that if you can't come to where the books are, she will get the books to you.
"I hope when I'm their age that someone will do this for me," she said. "I'm kind of a 'pay it forward' gal."
She makes regular trips to Chateau Mission Court seniors' lodge. The residents have a strong demand for print and audio-visual material loans even though they might not have the ability to get out on their own. The benefits for the clients are obvious but Fildes gets as much out of it as they do.
"I always have loved books," she confessed, remembering how integral the library was to her own life. In addition to this volunteer work, she also sits on the board of the Friends of the Library. "I have a great interest in promoting the library and raising community interest in the library."
The library benefits too from the ad hoc freelance publicist. Fildes loves talking up the clients about all of the library's other programs and events.
"I get a lot of enjoyment out of doing that because I love books myself. It's like a mini book club."
Anyone interested in helping out with this service can call the library at 780-459-1751 or visit www.sapl.ab.ca.
Why wait?
Abi Iskander is a Grade 12 student at Paul Kane so most of her main concerns these days are about advanced placement exams and her future at the University of Alberta. That doesn't mean that she has put her work career on hold.
For a few years now she has been building up a resume that would look appropriate for someone twice her age. It's even more impressive when you consider she does it all as a volunteer.
She has been involved with the school's students' union for the last two years, about the same length of time she has been helping raise money to build a school in Kenya through the Change for Africa club.
When she isn't in school, she is a volunteer for Homeless Connect in Edmonton, a group that runs a semiannual event at the Shaw Conference Centre that bears similarity to a free trade show. It allows thousands of homeless individuals to access services like first aid or hair stylists that they otherwise would not be able to afford on their own.
Then there's her work with the Festival of Trees and the Rendezvous 2011 committee (St. Albert's 150th anniversary celebration), the last of which has really grabbed her interest lately.
"I've lived in St. Albert all of my life and I just always wanted to volunteer in St. Albert," she said. "This is a great way to do it."
She's in charge of the youth subcommittee. "My job is to organize and to make sure everybody is doing their thing and I'm doing my own."
She admits that her schedule is already pretty full but she has a strong interest in helping out at the botanic park too. This young woman is proof that there is so much community spirit in the city.
"I like to be active all the time. It just feels good. For Homeless Connect, it's the greatest feeling when you're finished. It's like, 'Wow, I just helped all these people'."
The next Homeless Connect event takes place on May 9. Visit www.homelessconnect.ca for more information.
