Young Salvation Army Volunteer Using EDS Training to Better her Community
For her mandatory college volunteer hours, Teagan Stirling wanted to do something unique with her time. She found the right fit with The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services in Ontario.
As an 18-year-old student at Algonquin College in Ottawa, studying Police Foundations, Teagan’s volunteer experience with EDS and Victim Services with The Salvation Army ties in perfectly with her future educational goals and desire to assist anyone in need.
“I started with The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services in February 2023, and I was looking for something more interesting than some of the other options. I found this through one of my teachers at Algonquin. They sent an email about The Salvation Army in general, not even EDS specifically,” she recalls.
Since becoming an EDS volunteer, Teagan has made the most of the opportunity by taking an introduction to EDS course and canteen truck training. She also responded to help those impacted by an ice storm in Ottawa in April, bringing food to a couple of community centres.
Teagan also took part in a disaster response scenario in Woodstock in late April, where she prepared and served soup and sandwiches. She is on call with The Salvation Army Victim Services in Ottawa, ready to respond on-scene to provide comfort and support to anyone displaced from their homes due to fire, flooding, emergencies or disasters.
“I like the people in the organization I am meeting, because everyone has the same vision and interest in helping others, and I have definitely made some friends already,” Teagan says.
In line with her education and future police work, Teagan is eager to put her skills and experience to use to continue to help others in need and encourages volunteers to bring their time and talents in support of The Salvation Army and Emergency Disaster Services.
“I definitely say it’s rewarding, as anytime I’ve done the training, I come back feeling really happy. Honestly, it puts me in a better mood and just makes me feel good because everybody is so thankful,” Teagan says. “Even at the training everybody is so grateful and happy to be there. It definitely boosts your mood and you’re helping out.”
The EDS Canteen Services Team in Ottawa serves an average of about 1,500 hot meals annually. Volunteers also provide snacks and hot and cold beverages to emergency personnel and clients affected by fire or disaster.
To learn more about The Salvation Army and Emergency Disaster Services in Ontario, please email on.eds@salvationarmy.ca or visit www.salvationarmy.ca/eds.
