Volunteer Manitoba to honour 20 winners at 41st annual event (2025)

Volunteer Manitoba to honour 20 winners at 41st annual event (1)By: Aaron EppPosted:

Advertisement

Advertise with us

It’s National Volunteer Week, and one of the ways Volunteer Manitoba is marking the occasion is with its annual awards.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4 plus GST every four weeks. Offer only available to new and qualified returning subscribers. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

Start now

No thanks

*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.

It’s National Volunteer Week, and one of the ways Volunteer Manitoba is marking the occasion is with its annual awards.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

It’s National Volunteer Week, and one of the ways Volunteer Manitoba is marking the occasion is with its annual awards.

The organization will honour 20 individuals and groups at Club Regent Event Centre on Thursday evening.

“At Volunteer Manitoba, we understand how important recognition is,” executive director Ashley Seymour says. “There are so many people who give their time, their energy (and) their talents to supporting their communities, the organizations and non-profits that drive change and have such an impact in Manitoba.”

The Volunteer Awards winners include Samuel Ogunsola, who will receive one of six Premier’s Volunteer Service Awards. When he isn’t working on his PhD in physiology at the University of Manitoba, the 28-year-old is the driving force behind three organizations.

Two are registered charities in Nigeria, where Ogunsola was born and raised. Food and Genes Initiative aims to improve the well-being and lifestyle of Africans, and Shaping African Women in STEM offers programs that support those pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The other organization, Impact Leaders Connect, hosts events where young leaders from a variety of fields can connect and learn.

Ogunsola is active in his church, Jesus House Inner-City Outreach, which has led him to volunteer at Siloam Mission and Union Gospel Mission. In 2023, he co-founded the Community Closet project, which provided clothing for immigrant students at Victor Mager School.

Ogunsola says his Christian faith motivates him.

“I believe the skills and abilities I’ve acquired over the years have been given to me so I can help other people,” he says, adding he is excited to receive the award from Volunteer Manitoba. “It’s a boost to do more in the future and to make more of an impact.”

Volunteer opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

Misericordia Health Centre needs volunteers for recreational programming, such as music and adapted physical exercises, for transitional care clients. The schedule is 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Apply at wfp.to/Whf, volunteer@misericordia.mb.ca or 204-788-8132 by May 12.

Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre needs education volunteers to deliver presentations to students and community groups, and at public events. The goal is to raise awareness about local wildlife and promote peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. Volunteers might also get to work with animals that can’t be returned to the wild because of injury or other factors, helping to educate the public through direct interaction. This opportunity is ideal for people interested in wildlife education, public speaking and community engagement. Apply at wfp.to/W9D by June 1.

The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival needs more than 750 volunteers who are able to volunteer for at least four shifts of about four to six hours each over 12 days, from July 16 to July 27. Duties range from selling tickets and ushering to helping at the Kids Fringe area. Must be 12 or older. Apply at wfp.to/W9G or volunteers@winnipegfringe.com by July 11.

Siloam Mission needs an on-call American Sign Language interpreter. The role is essential in ensuring people who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully participate in programs and services. The volunteer will bridge communication gaps by translating spoken language into ASL and vice versa. Skills required: proficiency in ASL; an understanding of deaf culture; an understanding of people who have faced homelessness, trauma and addictions; and the ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism. The volunteer would be called on to go to Siloam, or possibly communicate by video chat, when needed. The organization will do its best to call to schedule in advance. Apply at wfp.to/W97 by July 15.

Special Olympics Manitoba needs volunteers with a passion for coaching and connecting with athletes. They will work with athletes in 18 sports to improve basic motor skills, teach sport-specific skills and prepare athletes for competition. Some sport-specific knowledge is needed. The time commitment is one to two weekly sessions for one to 2 1/2 hours. Some competitions are on weekends. Email Emma Wedlake at ewedlake@specialolympics.mb.ca by May 15.

Assiniboine Park Conservancy needs energetic people who have a passion for engaging with guests and sharing knowledge with visitors from around the world. Flexible scheduling and comprehensive training is offered. Volunteers will be trained at the park, the zoo or the Leaf and can schedule shifts at their preferred location. Must be 14 or older. Opportunities for adult volunteers include engagement ambassadors, visitor services concierge, special events assistants, and facilities and grounds support. Youth ages 14 to 18 are encouraged to apply for camp crew or zoo teen ambassador roles. Volunteers are asked to make a long-term commitment. A minimum commitment of 60 hours for adults or 40 hours for teens is required per year. Apply at wfp.to/WEO by June 15.

Creative Retirement Manitoba — a non-profit registered charity with a mission to provide affordable lifelong learning to older adults — has board member opportunities, particularly in program planning. This is a working board, with members taking on roles to support operations. The board meets eight times annually, on the second Friday morning of each month. Email hello@crcentre.ca by June 30.

Habitat Manitoba is hosting a Blitz Build at 900 Pandora Ave. W. from Aug. 11 to Aug. 15. Seventy-five volunteers a day are needed for five consecutive days to help build safe, decent, affordable houses for low-income families. No experience is necessary. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Apply at wfp.to/WbV by Aug. 1.

The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.

Anju Bajaj feels the same way. Bajaj, 44, is receiving the CTV Champion of Mental Health Award in recognition of her volunteer commitment to promoting mental health and well-being.

She is on the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba’s education committee and the Province of Manitoba’s committee regarding the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act. Bajaj has helped form policies, legislation and educational resources to help support the rightful treatment of people with mental disabilities and challenges.

She chairs the board of directors at the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. As a STEM educator and adviser for Manitoba Catholic Schools, Bajaj said she believes STEM education can promote wellness in students.

“Mental health isn’t a ‘cause,’ it’s a human right,” she says. “And it’s not someone else’s responsibility — it’s all of ours. Whether you’re a teacher, a student, a parent or a neighbour, you have the power to make someone feel valued, heard and supported. That power matters.”

Bajaj says her work is far from over but the recognition from Volunteer Manitoba is a meaningful marker and a reminder that advocacy, when grounded in love and service, can make an impact.

“We must normalize asking for help, normalize checking in, normalize rest and compassion,” she says. “That’s how we build resilient communities. That’s how we save lives — not always through grand gestures, but through everyday kindness.”

For the full list of this year’s winners, go to wfp.to/awardwinners. To learn more about National Volunteer Week, go to wfp.to/volweek.

If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.

Volunteer Manitoba to honour 20 winners at 41st annual event (3)

Aaron Epp
Reporter

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Volunteer Manitoba to honour 20 winners at 41st annual event (4)

Aaron Epp
Reporter

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Advertisement Advertise With Us

  • Print
  • Email
  • Read Later

Report ErrorSubmit a Tip

Volunteer Manitoba to honour 20 winners at 41st annual event (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6787

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.