Volunteers go the extra mile

2026 marks U.N. International Year of Volunteers

A group of five people standing together smiling. — Fairview’s ‘Oktoberfest 2025’ recreation program. From left to right – Recreation worker, Spring; Volunteer musician, Jan; Recreation worker, Brook; Volunteer (recreation assistant), Larry; Recreation worker, Brooklyn.

Prairie Mountain Health volunteers continue to support our personal care homes (PCH), hospitals, and community health programs across the region. Every volunteer and each contribution they make is valued. Sharing time, skills, empathy, and creativity is vital to the inclusivity, strength, and well-being of our communities. Maxine Brown is a Volunteer Services Coordinator based out of Fairview Home in Brandon. She also provides volunteer coordination at Rideau Park and Dinsdale Personal Care Homes in Brandon as well as PCH sites in Rivers and Hartney.

“We have volunteer recreation assistants and ‘one on one’ friends. They provide music and entertainment programs and assist with various events including bingo, cards, crafts and knitting. Just the overall companionship with our personal care home residents like going for walks, reading or playing games. It’s hard to put into words just how much they are welcomed and appreciated. We can’t thank them enough!” she stated.

Brown says visiting groups from schools, bands or choirs are some of the residents’ favourites.

A group of children stand together in matching black dance costumes. — The McConnell School of Irish Dance Group recently performed at all three Brandon PCH’s (Fairview, Rideau Park & Dinsdale). The Brandon dance group, under the direction of Shayleen McConnell Finucan, has been entertaining residents at Fairview PCH since 2016.

“Vincent Massey High School in Brandon has been coming with their band students to play at Christmas time at Fairview PCH for about the last 10 years. And this past year, the band played Christmas carols at Valleyview PCH and Hillcrest PCH. Students with the Ecole Harrison Ovation vocal jazz group, comprised of Grade 7 and 8 students, also performed Christmas Carols for residents of Fairview Home last year.

Brown says performances like these touch the hearts of residents and staff and provide participation and socialization to the great benefit of the residents.

“These volunteer music programs, whether through school groups, musicians or church choirs provide special and heartwarming times for all our residents. We look forward to them whatever times of the year they are able to perform.”

Volunteer Coordinator Marsha Forgue says she is seeing more and more teens coming forward to volunteer their time and efforts.

A young girl stands smiling. — Prairie Mountain Health is incredibly proud of their teen volunteers in the region. Brynn is a teen volunteer in Shoal Lake!

“During the last semester, PMH had registered 82 student volunteers that performed over 1260 hours of service within the region. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of our teen volunteers for their willingness to give back to their communities. They bring energy, compassion and are certainly welcomed and appreciated by our recreation coordinators at personal care homes.”

Brynn H. is a teen volunteer at Shoal Lake.

“I like how happy the residents always are to see me and I like making them happier when I am there. I connect with the residents about silly things and we laugh together. I want to be a nurse when I grow up and volunteering has helped me see this is what I want to do.”

Five teenagers stand next to an outdoor sign that says Neepawa Health Centre. — These five teen volunteers at Neepawa Health Centre (out of 11 during semester 2) take time to gather in front of the health centre. From (l-r) are Therese, Krystal, Andrie, Jhayven and Princess. PMH appreciates all that our teen volunteers continue to do.

Forgue adds, there are also many examples of community groups and their volunteers stepping to the forefront to support health care causes in the region, including recent examples of ‘curling for a cure’, hockey fights cancer nights and many more.

Volunteers also support many Brandon Regional Health Centre departments such as the lab, diagnostics, health records, emergency department, surgical suite, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Centre for Adult Psychiatry, and the Gift Shop. Volunteer roles also support the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre.