Deb – Innisfil YMCA Volunteer
My name is Deb and we moved to Innisfil in 2007. When they started to build the recreation centre I thought about what a great addition the YMCA was going to be to the community and wondered how I could be a part of such a great organization. Volunteering was the answer. Volunteering provides personal satisfaction while helping others, a merging of goals. Wellness was a goal I in which I wanted to be involved.
As soon as I retired I applied to be a volunteer and am now in my second year. I started out helping with some administrative tasks in the Aquatics Program. It turned out to be a great match as I have always been passionate about swimming; in a lake, a river or now the ‘best pools ever’. The Aquatics supervisor quickly realized this and encouraged me learn about teaching adults to swim. What a great opportunity! Now I help the instructors with the Adult Learn to Swim Drop In class and love every minute of it; meeting and interacting with the members and the staff, sharing and growing with what I learn.
All of the staff at the Innisfil YMCA lives the mission and values of the organization. And they make it infectious! My Y thinks I am helping them but they are really helping me – to learn, to grow, to share, to contribute in whatever way I can, in building a healthy community. My Y really does care and you really do get what you give.
