Volunteer Spotlight - Meet Cynthia
April 19 to 25 is National Volunteer Week! Join us in celebrating and thanking all the volunteers who make a meaningful impact in our communities. At Green Acres Foundation, we are grateful to everyone who helps enrich the lives of our residents through activities such as bus trips, bingo, movie nights, and so much more! To discuss volunteer opportunities, please e-mail hr@greenacres.ab.ca or call 403-328-1155. To register as a volunteer, apply on the Volunteer Lethbridge website.
Meet one of our amazing volunteers, Cynthia!
What are the tasks that you do when you volunteer?
I am a relatively new volunteer at Green Acres Foundation. For a little over two months now I facilitate artistic enrichment through a Markers Guild every Thursday morning and a craft night every month.
Makers Guild is a weekly one hour opportunity for all residents to attend. I facilitate a circle of interested residents who want to learn a new skill or revive an activity that they used to do. Our focus this winter and spring is on tapestry weaving on simple looms. We have woven bookmarks and are now creating squares to create little stuffed animals. If residents do not want to participate in our current focus they bring their own on-going projects and we work together sharing stories and expertise.
Friday Craft Night is a monthly 90 minute art activity with a finished project as its goal. We explore painting, collage, wreath making, beadwork, and seasonal crafts.
Why do you think Volunteering is important? What inspired you to volunteer?
Volunteering to provide artistic enrichment for seniors is both worthwhile and deeply significant because it nurtures creativity, connection, and emotional well-being at a stage of life that can often feel isolating. Engaging in art making, in any medium, offers seniors a meaningful way to express themselves, preserve their sense of identity, and share their life experiences. These activities can stimulate cognitive function, reduce stress, and bring genuine joy, while also fostering a sense of community and belonging.
For myself, as a volunteer, it is an opportunity to build intergenerational relationships, gain perspective, and make a tangible difference in someone’s quality of life. Ultimately, artistic enrichment is not just about creating something beautiful; it is about honouring dignity, encouraging vitality, and reminding seniors that their creative voice still matters.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with our senior residents?
The very best part of volunteering is walking into the lodge and seeing the smiles of welcome from residents and staff alike.