Tribute to Two Volunteers:
Bunty Judd and Geneviève Perchotte
Tribute to Two Volunteers:
Bunty Judd and Geneviève Perchotte
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W
ithout the efforts of enthusiastic volunteers like Bunty Judd and Geneviève Perchotte it would be impossible for Creative Retirement to function in the efficient way it does. Since 1986 Bunty Judd is a cheerful and familiar face to those who go into the Creative Retirement office on Portage Avenue. Initially, she says she volunteered to assist in the office, which she has continued to do on a regular basis. These days she can still be found there two days a week. Over the years her contribution has expanded to the Homebound Program when (then) coordinator, Doug Wasyliw was looking for volunteers in 1988. Eventually she became the chairperson of the Homebound Program committee. Bunty had taken Tai Chi classes and when Creative Retirement was looking for an instructor she volunteered and later became a facilitator of the program. "The program is very popular with seniors and has certainly grown over the years. I have certainly enjoyed being a part of it," she said. Bunty is a war bride from Edinburgh, Scotland, who came to Canada and settled in Broadview, Saskatchewan, where her husband worked for Canadian Pacific Railway. When that location was closed she and her husband came to Winnipeg in 1969. Her first contact with Creative Retirement came in 1984 after her husband retired and they had returned from an extended holiday to take a seniors' class in computing. In addition to her volunteer work with Creative Retirement, Bunty also is involved with work for her church, takes university courses, and is interested in Celtic history. Bunty is the mother of three daughters and a son. Geneviève Perchotte first became involved with Creative Retirement through the 55 Alive Seniors Driving Program where she is an instructor. She has been volunteering with Creative Retirement since April 1997 where her background in accounting made her invaluable in reorganising the accounting system to make it easier for volunteers to assist with the books. "We have tried to make the system friendlier and less labour intensive, and I think it now works well," Geneviève said. Geneviève goes to the office at the end of every month to prepare the necessary financial statements. "I think Creative Retirement is a wonderful organization. It is the only one I know of where seniors help other seniors as well as themselves," she said. In addition, Geneviève is very involved with her church and other related activities. "Meetings take up a lot of my time, but I am now able to do what I like and I am enjoying it." Along with her husband, Geneviève has a daughter, two sons and a granddaughter age five. For Bunty Judd and Geneviève Perchotte, volunteering with Creative Retirement is a way of life. Their enthusiasm and effort are appreciated by all. By Harold Marshall Spring 1999 |
Bunty Judd
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