Volunteer Stories

How Volunteering Helped One Woman Overcome an Anxiety Disorder

Posted on 11th February 2019, by SalvationArmy.ca
Angie serves up a meal at the Manna Cafe
When Angie’s husband left her for her best friend, she moved out and shut herself away from society for 12 years. “I couldn’t handle the hurt and devastation from my marriage breakup,” says Angie. “My home was the only place I felt safe until I walked through the doors of The Salvation Army.” “My home  […]

Veteran with PTSD Helps Himself by Helping Others

Posted on 11th August 2017, by
Aubrey Francis prepares meal for guests at Manna cafe
When thoughts of horror and loss start to seep into his mind, Aubrey Francis focuses on the positive things in his life―volunteering and his faith. Over a span of 20 years, Francis served 11 tours of duty. He was eventually diagnosed with PTSD and left the military. He continued to have nightmares of frightening scenes,  […]

Volunteer Serves the Army for More Than 65 Years

Posted on 11th August 2017, by SalvationArmy.ca
officer william
You wouldn’t expect anyone to stand out in the cold each winter to help people in need. But, that’s exactly what Bill Oliver has done for more than six decades with a smile on his face. The 76-year-old has volunteered for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign every year but one since he was nine-years-old  […]

Volunteering Improves Lives

Posted on 11th August 2017, by SalvationArmy.ca
lady with tea
“I had just graduated from college and couldn’t find work,” says Tiffany.  “My husband heard a plea for Salvation Army volunteers on the radio and thought that the experience would give me an opportunity to develop new skills. And he was right.” Four days a week, Tiffany volunteers at The Salvation Army’s community lunch program  […]

Volunteer Shares How Giving Back Changed Her Life

Posted on 11th August 2017, by SalvationArmy.ca
Volunteer Philomena
Philomena is one of 136,000 volunteers across Canada who dedicate their time to helping people through the work of The Salvation Army. “I started volunteering at The Salvation Army 14 years ago,” says Philomena. “I had to quit my full-time job as a housekeeper because of Fibromyalgia―chronic muscle pain and tender points, fatigue and sleep  […]

Teen Volunteers at Salvation Army After-School Program

Posted on 16th February 2017, by SalvationArmy.ca
Jamie-Lynn (left) cuts cucumber with after-school participant
Jamie-Lynn started attending an after-school program at The Salvation Army in Kingston, Ont., when she was seven-years-old. Today, the 14-year-old volunteers at the same place where she learned how to read and write. “After I learned how to read, write and do math, I passed school with flying colours,” says Jamie-Lynn. “I love it here.”  […]