Lisa and Bob Whalen started volunteering with Barrie Families Unite (BFU) three years ago by doing deliveries of food and clothes, mostly to families having financial difficulties.
“If seeing children with very little at Christmas doesn’t break your heart, then you do not have one,” Lisa tells BarrieToday.
Speaking of Christmas, one might note that Bob could well be the face of the popular celebration.
“My husband has white hair and a beard and many of the little darlings thought he was Santa Claus," she says. "And he carried candy canes in his pocket."
The Whalens decided to volunteer after going on the BFU website and Facebook page.
“We liked what we read: ‘A down-to-earth’ organization of volunteers whose main mission is to help people in their time of need,'" she says.
Being a BFU volunteer comes with many rewarding moments for Lisa, such as when she saw a nine-year-old boy from the Ukraine who they delivered clothing to.
“He jumped for joy when we handed him a pair of used running shoes," she says.
Some other memories include a young girl getting suitable clothes and a bus pass to go for a job interview; a lonely senior who needed a walker, conversation and a ‘hug'; a family whose dad had major heart surgery and couldn’t work; and single moms needing food for their children.
“I also remember delivering a pair of work boots to a young man outside the Queens (Hotel) so he could start a construction job. The list of priceless moments can go on and on," she says.
Born and raised in Barrie, Lisa and Bob say they feel blessed by their family, friends and good jobs.
“We want to help and give back to people who are going thru difficult times," she says.
Thanks to BFU, Lisa says she and Bob have seen smiles, tears, hugs, and big thank-yous from people who they deliver to.
“We don’t just deliver, we also form relationships," she adds.
Lisa encourages anyone considering volunteering with BFU to look into opportunities to be involved, such as helping with the ‘laundromat days’, Mother’s Day boxes, and the Christmas Cheer event.
“It will be well worth your time. It may sound corny, but ‘together we can really make Barrie a better place for all!’”
BFU founder Nikki Glahn says the two most fantastic aspects of its volunteer team are the range of people it attracts and the hearts of service that they bring with them.
“From young teens to retired individuals in their mid-70s, the volunteer base is wide and so extremely dedicated to the services we are providing," Glahn says.
Glahn says the largest roles volunteers play at BFU are those who interact with its warehouse facility and hub of the not-for-profit organization.
“Whether it be sorting donations, doing food rescue and sorting, putting together orders for clients or delivering those orders, this is where a large part of our daily works transpires," she says.
BFU is currently in need of two things: ongoing funding and people to help maintain and complete its programming.
Lisa says she cannot begin to thank the volunteers of BFU enough.
“It’s amazing the caring, time, donations, and the hours that they put in," she adds.
If you are interested in learning more and volunteering with Barrie Families Unite, you can find the volunteer registration form at www.barriefamiliesunite.com.
