Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - June 11, 2012, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE B2 B 2 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 CITY winnipegfreepress. com 905 Shaftesbury Blvd. Winnipeg, MB Call for a complimentary Tour. ( 204) 885- 7272 " At Your Service" .. Nurse on Staff .. Red Seal Certified Chef .. Daily Activities and Exercise Classes .. Shuttle Bus Service .. Staff on Duty 24 Hours PROUDLY CANADIAN www. allseniorscare. com Where Caring is Our Number One Concern T A Place to Call Home. Carefree, Comfortable and Safe. Call To day for Yo ur Personal To ur ( 204) 885- 7272 Find out more about our all- inclusive Retirement Residence I T'S been said couples who share common interests have a better chance at a strong relationship. David Toupin wanted to ensure early on his girlfriend, Patricia Torgerson, shared in his passions. It was just their second date when he invited her to volunteer with him at Special Olympics Manitoba. It was an unconventional second date, but it worked - that was 10 years ago, and they're still together and still volunteering. " I went and I thought I was just going to sit on the bench and watch. But he said, ' Oh, no - if you're here, you have to participate. That's how it started," recalled Torgerson, a tenant service coordinator for Manitoba Housing. Toupin, now in his 20th year as a volunteer with Special Olympics Manitoba, serves as the head coach of the East Kildonan Rascals, a grassroots club that offers track and field in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. Torgerson also coaches at the club, which serves kids ages eight to 13. While spending one night a week at the club, they also attend competitions and assist at other Special Olympics events. They say it's the energy and spirit of the athletes that keep them coming back after all these years. " Their disability doesn't define them. Their abilities define them," explained Toupin, who by day works as a support worker with individuals living with disabilities. Torgerson said seeing the progress the athletes make is a very gratifying, yet emotional experience. " I know I've teared up at competitions," said Torgerson, adding her brother, who lives with a disability, used to participate in Special Olympics. " It's just so rewarding to see someone start at a beginning level and, through the training and the work that you do with them, you get to see them winning ribbons and being so proud. " Some people have a lot of difficulties and struggles in life, but a lot of those can be overcome," she said. Toupin agreed, stating his favourite part of volunteering is when the athletes achieve loftier goals than they, or family and friends, ever expected. " Lots of people who look at people with disabilities don't see the ability," said Toupin, who was awarded the Manitoba Male Coach of the Year Award last year. " One thing that happens quite often is when parents bring in a brand- new athlete and they say ' I don't know if this athlete belongs here.' The next thing they're throwing a six- pound shot put and running. You've just got to learn how to work with the athlete and their ability, rather than against their disability." Special Olympics Manitoba is currently seeking volunteer coaches for soccer, softball, golf and bocce programs. If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact director of volunteer services Lesley Camaso at ( 204) 925- 5625. You can also learn more online at www. specialolympics. mb. ca . If you know a special volunteer who strives to make their community a better place to live, please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@ shaw. ca . The following is a list of volunteer opportunities advertised in the Winnipeg area. For more information about these listings, please contact the person/ organization directly. You may also call ( 204) 477- 5180 ext. 230 to set up an appointment to see an interviewer at Volunteer Manitoba. Email: noreen. mian@ volunteermanitoba. ca or visit our website: www. mbvolunteer. ca for other available volunteer opportunities. OCD Centre Manitoba Inc. is seeking to fill positions on our board of directors. Meetings are held once per month 7 to 9 p. m. as well as one annual meeting. We are looking for people who have a lived experience with OCD, are a caregiver of someone who has OCD, or is a professional in the community who provides service to persons who have OCD. Information: 942- 3331. Rainbow Stage will be running Footloose June 17 to July 8 and Annie Aug. 6 to Aug. 31 and requires the following volunteers: videographer assistant, souvenir sellers; 50/ 50 ticket sellers; program sellers; ticket takers/ scanners and ushers. Information: Gail 989- 5261 ext. 5 or gthiesen@ rainbowstage. ca . Osborne Village's Canada Day Street Festival, June 30 and July 1, 11 a. m.- 11 p. m. The festival includes an artisan market, family- friendly main stage, parent- friendly Kidz Zone, and a healthy living and active lifestyles demonstration area. Volunteer: ovbiz@ mts. net . Canadian Cancer Society's Dragon Boat Festival needs the following volunteers - dock hands, to meet and greet teams and provide information, and on- land logistics co- ordinator, ensuring participants sign the festival waiver and have attended a minimum of two practices. Information: Carol 669- 1753. Volunteers needed to enrich the quality of experience for children attending the CSI Summer Learning Enhancement program in various locations across Winnipeg. Volunteer in the classroom, assisting with food or with field trips and special events. Information: Traci 982- 4940 or rogers@ wbgc. mb. ca . Villa Cabrini at 433 Rover Ave. is looking for a summer administrative assistant, receptionist and congregate meal program volunteer. Information: Linda 284- 2880 or vcabrini@ mts. net . Rewards plentiful at Special Olympics VOLUNTEERS ERIN MADDEN VOLUNTEERS Needed David Toupin and Patricia Torgerson spent their second date volunteering with Special Olympics Manitoba. That was 10 years ago, and they are still sharing that love of volunteering. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS B_ 02_ Jun- 11- 12_ FP_ 01. indd B2 6/ 10/ 12 6: 41: 16 PM ;