Building Roots sends our appreciation out to September’s Volunteer of the Month, Christine Haselmayer. We couldn’t do it without you!
- Volunteer position: Driving support
- Tell us a little about yourself: I’m a stay-at-home mom with a teenager. I love to cook and am particularly obsessed with fresh vegetables! I have taken up hockey in the last few years and love to play, especially on the outdoor rinks in the winter. My latest endeavour is learning to play bridge.
- How did you get involved with Building Roots? My friend Alex Tso at Dundas Park Kitchen. I mentioned to him that I was looking to volunteer somewhere that involved food security and it turns out that he makes the soup for Building Roots every week. Now I’m the one picking up that soup for the market!
- How long have you been with us? Since the fall of 2020
- Why do you volunteer? I have the luxury of having a lot of free time and wanted to use some of it to help in my community. Every time I finish a shift with Building Roots, I feel so positive and hopeful and come home smiling. It is a great way to start the weekend!
- What’s your favorite thing to do during your volunteer shift? Why? There are so many! In the summer, a highlight is picking up the absolutely gorgeous fresh produce from Toronto Metropolitan University Urban Farms. It is unbelievable to see what they are growing on the rooftops of their buildings. I also love to see Surabhi and Nishrin on my deliveries to Community Matters Toronto. They are so enthusiastic and friendly. I recently attended a community event they invited me to where I got to taste some delicious food and watch some great dancing! In the winter, I love chatting with the clients I deliver to and wishing them a good weekend.
- Is there anything else you’d like to add? It’s easy to get discouraged when you hear all of the challenges facing marginalized people in the city. But when you volunteer, you become part of a community of people working together to help each other. Your outlook becomes more positive and hopeful. Building Roots, in particular, operates at a very grassroots level and you can really feel the direct result of the work you do. I love seeing so many young people giving their time and energy to this important work.