April 12-18 was National Volunteer Week; a time to recognize, celebrate and thank the manu volunteers who generously donate their time to helping the women and children at IHO.
IHO has volunteers that work with the residents to facilitate programs such as watercolour painting, therapeutic art, income tax preparation, and knitting. Volunteers support in the house with organizing and sorting donations, preparing meals, baking and home maintenance.
IHO is fortunate to also have corporations and community groups who can donate a day of their time to help us with special projects throughout the year, such as building a gazebo in our backyard, organizing our storage area, or raking leaves. Your company can help out too, by gathering a group of 4 to 8 people to work with IHO for a day!
Other groups of volunteers create beautiful quilts for residents' beds, welcome baskets for families when they arrive, departure baskets filled with essential items when women move to new homes, and even homemade soup to warm the soul.
Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers originally started in Calgary by Sharon Hapton and now runs monthly events across Canada in which participants pay $55 to join in soup-making in a professional kitchen with a soup facilitator. Each event produces approximately 150-200 servings of soup, which are delivered fresh to a shelter, including IHO. Events are lively, social evenings that culminate in a sit-down meal of soup, salad, bread and wine for participants.
During National Volunteer Week, IHO's Executive Director Kia Rainbow attended a celebration of Soup Sisters at which Sharon Hapton and their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston showcased their culinary skills to help make soup with the other volunteers. Over lunch, the group discussed volunteerism and the commitment of all of those who are donating their time (and soup) for those in need.
We thank you all for your ongoing support of IHO. Together we are creating a safe and comforting space for the women and children who need us.