Volunteering is just a way of life for Melfort’s Peggy George

In 2002, George was asked to set-up the gift shop at Parkland Place and has been involved with the gift shops ever since.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gift shop located in the Melfort hospital was forced to close down but an alternative was found. The City of Melfort offered the Historic Post Office as a space for the time-being.

“We are a lot more exposed to the public in the post office so it has been fabulous to be able to be open and continue that work,” George said.

As the chair of the NCHCF, George has been able to be part of the fundraising and purchasing of a half million-dollar x-ray machine, the heliport, incubator and blanket warmers for the hospital.

“When seeing the wish list and budget list, sometimes it is hard to imagine how we can buy it but we do what we can do,” George said. “We have bought so many things over the years and it is all very rewarding.”

George expanded her community involvement in 2004 when interest arose from the public on a Communities in Bloom (CIB) committee.

“We have really exposed our community to all of Canada through the program, through our many competitions and we have had National judges here touring our community,” George said. “We have had provincial judges here as well and it is always interesting to hear what outside set of eyes see.”

According to George, running the yard of the week program has really helped people to see that curb appeal is more important than just looking nice for themselves but reflects on the entire community.

Once planting is done in the spring at the various CIB planters, George and her husband do all of the watering throughout the spring and summer.

“It takes everybody, we all just dig in and we do what we are passionate about,” George said.

Melfort CIB has been recognized on multiple occasions on a national and provincial level.

The Communities in Bloom committee doesn’t take much rest in the winter season, providing decorations in multiple areas that include Memorial Garden. (Facebook/Melfort CIB)

“You can be in the game of life either on the sidelines or out in the game playing,” George said. “I think it is a lot more fun to be playing than sitting and watching it go by.”

Being part of the community and giving spare time back into the community is just the way to be, George said.

“When you see something that you have had a hand in and you see it being used by so many other people and being appreciated, you can’t put a price on that,” George said.

With a long list of non-profit and volunteer organizations in the northeast, George encourages everyone to find a group to get on board with in any aspect, big or small.

“You’re here today and maybe you are gone tomorrow but your children will be here tomorrow,” George said. “Volunteering today, helps to make a better world whether for you while you’re here, or for your children while they’re here or for the next generation.”

Fellow CIB volunteer, Myra Busby is another great community volunteer that George said deserves extra recognition during National Volunteer Week.

“She goes above and beyond,” George said. “She is very thorough and I appreciate all of her involvement.”

The gift shop volunteers are also a very integral part of being able to put those impressive numbers into the foundation which would not be possible without them giving their time according to George.

George credits her mother who volunteered at the Ag Society as well as her grandmother who was involved with the United Church, for setting such a great example for her.

“It warms my heart now to see my kids volunteer and so awesome to see that continue on, it is so important,” George said.

With her grandkids growing up, she hopes to see another generation of self-less volunteers.

“You get out of life what you put into it,” she said.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

by Angie Rolheiser

Volunteering is just a way of life for Melfort’s Peggy George

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