Perhaps you've met Anna Vollmer. She's the lady with the basket full of goodies, ringing your doorbell.
If you haven't, you've either lived in St. Albert for years, or no one noticed you were moving in. Vollmer is the local Welcome Wagon representative, the one who welcomes newcomers and laughs if you ask her if she knows everyone in town.
"We keep abreast of the local happenings," she says.
The Welcome Wagon started in Canada in 1930, and has been in St. Albert for more than 50 years. The company offers free greeting services for individuals and families moving into communities.
Vollmer says it all comes from the tradition of people visiting new neighbours by horse and wagon, bringing treats with them to help people settle in.
Some people move to the city from as close as Edmonton, while others come from other provinces and countries, she says. What all of them have in common is that they generally need some help finding their way around.
"We had some people that have come in from Europe. They just arrived and know nothing about the city," she says. "We bring that information, we mention the schools and show them how to read the map."
Her biggest challenge is finding newcomers, she adds. St. Albertans have a tendency to move around a lot so many people aren't new. Tips about newcomers come from friendly neighbours and friends, she says, or through real estate listings.
A few people also register on the Welcome Wagon website.
A basket full of goodies
Once Vollmer finds a newcomer, she makes a call and offers to meet.
The meeting takes about an hour, during which she not only talks about the city but also produces a magnitude of items from her basket.
These include a letter from the mayor, maps, a phone book, civic and tourist information, and coupons, such as free library memberships, day passes for recreation facilities, and restaurant coupons.
But there are also random gifts hidden beneath the papers, such as a brush from a local paint shop and cooking spices from a gift store. Those are presents donated by local businesses that exclusively advertise with the Welcome Wagon.
In return, the advertising pays Vollmer's salary.
"We do exclusive advertising for them. We can have more than one dentist but hair dressers or gift shops are exclusive," Vollmer says.
Local orthodontist Kurt Popowich advertised with the Welcome Wagon for 10 years. He says it's just another way to get your name out.
And there are always a few customers that mention the company when they come in for the first time, he says.
"I think it's something that we started early when I started my practice and it was an opportunity to get our name out there. Especially for people that were moving into the city," he said.
Vollmer, who's been with the Welcome Wagon for more than five years, says she and two of her colleagues visit about 40 newcomers per month. It's a good retirement job, she says but she mostly enjoys meeting new people.
"I find it such a rewarding thing to do because you bring them information," she says. "They are brand new, they don't know anything about the city in most cases."
More information can be found at welcomewagon.ca or by calling Anna Vollmer at 780-458-7986 or 780-909-2781.
