“Volunteering broadens and strengthens your community – it allows you to think beyond yourself and appreciate life’s blessings.”
“I grew up in rural Saskatchewan where my early years were full of adventure. We took a horse and sleigh to school in winter and a horse and buggy in summer. My dream was to be a nurse. Life’s adventures led me to meet my husband and new plans were made. We moved to Chilliwack and set down roots. I grew up in a family of volunteers, that’s just part of what we did. My husband and I have been to Mexico to volunteer in an orphanage. We spent three months volunteering with a Christian college in Hawaii. Volunteering broadens and strengthens your community – it allows you to think beyond yourself and appreciate life’s blessings.
I’m retired from a career in finance. I volunteer at the Emergency Department at Chilliwack General Hospital. My job is to help people feel calm. I help patients find where they need to go, bring them a warm blanket or offer reassurance. I rarely leave a shift without someone coming to me to say thank you. Volunteering is a humbling experience and a privilege.
I enjoy travelling, time outdoors and reading crime novels. I guess I’m hooked on that ER adrenaline.”
- Janet Ratzlaff, Volunteer, Emergency Department, Chilliwack General Hospital
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