PACE Wraps for a Cause

During the holidays, a number of clients on our PACE Team had the opportunity to volunteer for Cystic Fibrosis Canada as gift wrappers. Once customers were done purchasing gifts for their friends and family members, they brought the goodies up to the booth to be wrapped by our client volunteers.

According to Whitney Stout, the PACE Community Resource Worker who helped organize this opportunity, each shopper donates an average of $8.00 per present wrapped. This fundraiser takes place each year at Market Mall, South Centre Mall, and Chinook Mall.

Here are three of our clients in action:

Client Success: Robert Burroughs

Robert BurroughsFor many years, Robert Burroughs worked in the restaurant industry. Though he officially retired a few years ago, he decided to use the skills he learned in his past position as a dishwasher to help make a difference at the South Calgary Health Centre.

Earlier this year, Burroughs began volunteering with Alberta Health Services (AHS) every Wednesday afternoon. He is responsible for washing and disinfecting the therapeutic toys used by the Speech Language Pathologists who work with children.

To ensure the toys are properly cleaned and safe for use, Burroughs must follow a very detailed process that involves several steps. He is always wearing gloves, and uses two sinks, hot water, soap, rinse water, disinfectant, more rinse water, and paper towels to put under the toys while they air dry.

Robert volunteering at AHSFrom his experience in the restaurant industry, Burroughs is familiar with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and knows how important it is to adhere to all health and safety standards. As a volunteer for AHS, Burroughs takes great care to reduce the spread of germs.

According to a South Calgary Health Centre volunteer, Burroughs is one of the best toy washing volunteers they have ever had. Community Resource Worker (CRW) Bonny Johannson agrees that working at Montana’s has made him a fantastic volunteer, and calls this his “encore career.”

“He is using those same skills from the restaurant industry in this position, and he really does like working there,” Johannson shared. “Many people there greet him, and are grateful for the work he is doing.”

Robert follows all health and safety standards.Burroughs confirmed that he is enjoying his new volunteer position with AHS, and would like to continue helping out there for some time. According to Johannson, the role is a perfect fit for Burroughs.

“Robert has all the skills to do a good job, the desire to help out, and the health and safety knowledge he needs to keep himself and others safe.”

Volunteers Needed: Casino Fundraiser

Volunteers-NeededIt’s almost time for our casino fundraiser! Come lend a hand at one of our biggest fundraising events of the year on June 27 and June 28. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of volunteers like you to provide top-quality programs, resources, and services to our clients.

This year, our casino fundraiser will be hosted at Cash Casino on Blackfoot Trail SE. For more information, or to sign up, email the DDRC’s Volunteer and Development Coordinator Austin Clem, or call him at 403.240.7314.

Opportunities at the DDRC

Whether you are looking for a full career change, or just have a few hours to give, we have many opportunities for those looking to support our mission that everyone belongs™!

  • Careers: We offer a comprehensive benefits package and very competitive pay, 3 weeks holidays to start and flexible working hours. The DDRC is community-minded: we operate in all quadrants of the city for ease of access for staff and clients. We also have an active employee social committee! Visit our website for a full list of current position descriptions.
  • Volunteer: At the DDRC, our volunteer program engages volunteers to support client services and our day-to-day operations. We value the diverse talents, skills, and abilities of our volunteers which help us achieve our vision of a community where everyone belongs. For a list of volunteer positions available, click here. Or, to learn more, e-mail volunteer@ddrc.ca.
  • Join a Committee: The Watson Family Foundation provides financial assistance to families with limited or non-existent means to help improve and sustain the quality of life for their special needs child.The Watson Committee is made up of a group of passionate volunteers who determine how best to disburse the funds allocated to them. For information on this, and other committees, please e-mail info@ddrc.ca.

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3 Ways to Get Involved This Winter

The Inclusion Awards may be over for another year, but things are far from quiet at the DDRC! Here are 3 great ways to get involved in the coming months:

 

1. Come to our Christmas Craft Sale

For the third year in a row, we are opening up the doors of the DDRC gym for bakers, jewelers, crafters, and vendors of all kinds! This is a great opportunity to get started on your Christmas shopping, or even pick up a little something for yourself!

Date: Saturday, November 8
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: DDRC Gym (4646 Sarcee Road SW)

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2. Volunteer at our Casino Fundraiser

The casino is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of many generous volunteers. Currently, there are still a number of important volunteer shifts to be filled. E-mail austin.clem@ddrc.ca if you are able to fill any of these much needed vacancies:

Friday, November 21, 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 21, 7:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Friday, November 21, 11:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 22, 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 22, 7:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 22, 11:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Location: Cash Casino, 4040 Blackfoot Trail SE

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3. Drop by our Holiday Open House

Celebrate the season with tasty treats, fun activities, and a visit from Santa! This year’s theme is “Celebrations Around the World,” so come on out and tell us how you celebrate the holidays! As with like the Christmas Craft Fair, this free event is open to everyone!

Date: Thursday, December 4
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: DDRC Gym (4646 Sarcee Road SW)

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Volunteer With Us

We are looking for Volunteers!

A lot of work has gone in to the redesign of our volunteer program, and we are happy to share these exciting new opportunities for community members! Our newest program allows volunteers to work with Community Resource Workers to support DDRC clients. We are currently accepting applications from anyone interested in this Volunteer Resource Worker Program, and are searching specifically for people enrolled in a disabilities studies program or with comparable experience and interests.

If you are looking to support our agency in other ways, why not join our events volunteer team? We host a variety of fundraisers and community events that rely on volunteers for success. Administrative positions are also available; we need volunteers to support agency employees to provide our clients with the best service possible. These administrative positions are always changing as we identify new areas where volunteers can help support our mission.

To find a volunteer position that’s right for you, to learn more about our programs, and to get involved, contact Austin Clem by phone at 403-240-7314, by e-mail at volunteer@ddrc.ca, or by visiting www.ddrc.ca.

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Volunteer hole-in-one monitors at the Vipond Charity Golf Tournament.
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Volunteers selling 50/50 tickets at the Inclusion Awards
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Volunteers greeting our guests at our annual Stampede Breakfast.