Deana Lancaster News Reporter dlancaster@nsnews.com AFTER her first volun- teer shift with NeighbourLink, June Martin didn’t think she’d go back. “f was in tears. I thought: ‘LT can’t do this job.” Ic was 1993, and she'd recently moved to the North Shore from Montreal. She asked at her Lynn Valley church, Se. Clement’s, if they knew of any volunteer work she could do, and they sent her to NeighbourLink. ‘Established in 1991, the organization is under the umbrella of World Vision, and '-is supported by 10 North Shore churches. Its aim, says Martin, is to “provide .Christian caring and meaning- . ful assistance where it is need- ed.” For Martin, on her first day, that task seemed a diffi- cult one. “I was answering the phones.. and ‘this. woman a called.. She was on welfare, © and her. sister was a drug “addict and had AIDS. And she had a“ baby with AIDS and: -“coulda’t: take care of her. So "this wéman had taken in her sister’s: baby, but she had no “> bed» or. anything. . I~ just “thought ‘Oh this is an awful story.’” : ,. She called her coordinator : “ae the time and was told that . in. fact, - NeighbourLink had »s" access to a used bed, bedding -: ‘and clothes in good condition ~ that the woman could have. “!” And June realized, despite 2S the tragedies she would learn “-4of, in’ the ‘course of the job, ‘that it was a worthwhile pro- ‘ject: And she did go back. -“I don’t get ote so emo- . tionally. involved now. I can get i involved, but I don’t fall VOLUNTEER WEEK urLink aids moody apart.” Which is a good thing, because Martin and the other 150 volunteers at NeighbourLink are far too busy to be falling apart. Martin said the volunteers try to help with any “specific, manageable and verifiable aced.~ The services they provide to people referred through local agencies include driving, baby-sitting, cooking, shop- ping and a delivery service for seniors and shut-ins. But the biggest and busiest of the programs run by NeighbourLink is the furni- ture ministry. The volunteers locate and collect used furniture, then deliver it to those who can use it. For years they’ve relied on a 22-year-old van to do their pick-up and delivery service, but last vear, it failed. Pemberton Auto jumped to help with auto repairs, but the van is on ite last legs, said Martin. Next to the rescue was Discount Auto who has been giving the organization use of a van every Wednesday evening to make deliveries. “What we reaily need is a new van,” said Martin. And they are also looking for support from other Christian churches, of ali denominations, on the North Shore. . “We run ona shoe string,” said Martin. “We need volun- teers and financial support to keep this office up and run- For more information, or ou can help NeighbourLink, by helping the organization find a new van, or by donating furniture that is clean, without holes and in good working order, please call the office at 983- 3776. Office. hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to ncon. "Thank You! fo all our great volunteers whose contributions uhave brought sunshine to the lives of others." : ‘Programs _ Aquatic Centre Arena : Community Centre Community Sporis/ Activity Teams Eagle Harbour Ferry Building Gallery Harmony Arts Museum & Archives .. Seniors’ Activity Centre Summer Day Camps | .Volunteers for people with Disabitities Weight Rooms Shine g yitle USht op, gom©ONe's fife... _.West Vanceuver Parks & Recreation. ... ... says "Thank You!" ‘Planning & Support Aquatic Centre Planning Committee Chilly Willy Celebrations Civic Site Advisory Group Community Day Committee _ Harmony Arts Advisory Committee Oceans Day Committee Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission Seniors’ Advisory Board Youth Advisory Committee Recreation Facilities Master Plan Community Advisory Committee votuntee,, | NEWS Photo Mike Wakefiotd JUNE Martin (front) with Gordon Graham and Geoff Wilkins — all of NeighbourLink — with the oid van they use to deliver furniture. TED NEBBELING, ma. West Vancouver - Garibaldi Constituency 102-2232 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, B.C. V7V 1K4__ Phone (604) 926-2815 Fax (604)981-0010 www.tednebbeling.com THE WEST VANCOUVER FOUNDATION would like to take this opportunity to thank ail of their volunteers who bave given unstintingly of their time & talent throughout the year =e DIRECTORS =~ — Thomas E. Baillie, Barbara Howard Timothy Porteous Chair — - Ray Leeden Donald Saunders Peter W. Bogardus J. Cowan McKinney L. Ane Sturrock Malcolm FE Clay Stuart McLaughlin Gary Sutherland Nassreen Filsoof —_ Bruce Milley Jo-Ann Wood Robert Gayton G. Edwasd Moul Marjorie Gibson _Keith Pelletier ~~ HONORARY- DIRECTORS -——- Kay Meek Ronald K. Wood, Mayor of West Vancouver VGLUNTEERS APPOINTED TO COMMITTEES Kay Wiewel JamesCameron Judy Okazaki Richard Gaul Jon Greyell Edwin Lee — “VOLUNTEERS 10 GALA“ Sarah Garriock Judy McGladdery Dana Gibson Xaren McLean Lyndsay Gibson Andrea Noble Meredith Gibson Sandi O'Brian Lausa Gillingham Joy Phelps Judy Gunn Judy Rekrutiak Jan Hlynsky Kendra Rennison Janice Hunter Jennifer Ricci Patricia Jarvis Lori Rowe-Romano Patricia Kennedy Todd Kennedy Vivienne Leeden Marg Masuch Jody Baillie Lesley Barre Yvonne Bower Leslie Bream Connie Buzunis Laura Campbell Andrea Ciark Janet Cunningham Michael Doucette Carole Fernie Jill Flemens Ramon Fletcher Faith Garriock . Rebekah Garriock _ CPOE mt pea he AAAS NIA TEIN Ie ae BS TASER HebS TN Far rey iatoraial sla ba te WEA scacoiver Fouidalied: 25-61 Sunday, April 8, 2000 —- North Shore News - 4% THANK YOU to all volunteers... a For your unselfish he e contribution to our j TREMY DALTON communities. West Vancouver - Capilano #306-1497 Marine Dr.,West Van., B.C. V7T 1B8 925-1611 Fax: 925-9658 DEVELOPING CANADAS FUTURE LEADERS SCOUTS CANADA 879-5721 - VANCOUVER COAST REGION ; No matter what political party you | support, volunteers are essential in our democratic process. | Thank you for volunteering. "JOHN REYNOLDS, M.P. West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast CANADIAN ALL ANCE Constituency Offi :e Suite 215, 157! Bellevue Avenue, West Van., B.C., vv 1A6 | i (604) 666-1229 Tel. (604) 666-1226 Fax www.johni } noldsoniine.com NORTH SHORE” COUNSELLING |: Merri Monkemeie : 926-5495 ext 10. -