It’s Volunteer Appreciation Day on myFM, a day where we pay tribute to five individuals who so freely give of their time and resources to make St. Thomas and Elgin and better place to live.
When asked about her volunteering efforts with the YWCA in St. Thomas, Kara Lynds is modest in discussing the hours she spends helping others in the community.
“I just think of it as, you know, just sharing space with a bunch of people who want to do good for the community.”
Lynds has been a volunteer with the Y since 2020 and adds, “I’m part of a very small but mighty team of people who plan the Women’s Day event. We do it every year for International Women’s Day. It’s in March. I also have donated time to some of the social events at the Y.”
She has also assisted with the annual YWCA coat drive which she weaved into her full-time job in the Material Management Department at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital.
“Which was really cool because I was able to bring in the hospital that way and ask for donations from hospital employees for coats and donate them to the Y. So full circle.”
Asked about her employment at STEGH, she admits, “It’s a busy job. I have a good team. We have a really good team, and we have just a good time at work, so it makes the day better.”
Lynds continues, “So we stock all areas of the hospital in my role. So every day we are zooming around and putting product on the floors that helps with direct patient care.”
She can trace her volunteering efforts back to the early 2000s with Big Brothers/Big Sisters St. Thomas-Elgin.
“I was working a part-time job at the time and thought I have a little bit of extra time. I saw the yellow signs that they used to put out in all the different areas of the county and I made the call. Richard Clarke was the case manager there at the time.
“And I talked with Richard, and I was there for 18 years. With three community Little Sisters. And then I mentored in the school with a student starting in Grade 2 and I saw and met with her each day or each week until she graduated from Grade 8. It was really cool to watch her grow.”
For young people wishing to contribute as a volunteer, Lynds has this advice.
“There’s a lot of places around that do take volunteers. So making that call and just maybe inquiring and stepping into the places to see what it’s like. And just taking that first step. It is a little bit of a nervous step, but once you’re in it, it’s really interesting how people come and support and want you there. So it’s just a nice feeling of connection.”
We asked her if she is considering broadening her horizon beyond the YWCA.
“Well, at this time, I think the Y has a lot of opportunities for different events and incentives and programs that they offer. When I started with the Y, it was the Women’s Day and going to their summer socials, their coat drives, their shoe drives, anything like that.
“That’s what I’ve kind of stuck with at this point just because it does match my schedule right now. Because I am working at different shifts. So right now, I’m sticking with the Y.”
You can listen to our interview with Kara Lynds below.
Written by Ian McCallum
