Rosie Koop, Tomorrow Today’s Executive Officer is well aware of just how important volunteers are to an organistation like Tomorrow Today. “Volunteers are the life-blood of Community organisations like ours. This National Volunteers Week we’d like to extend a huge thank you to all our volunteers, past and present. Without them we would not be able to deliver programs like Kinder Pals and Connect9.”
Cathy Bridgfoot has been a member of the Benalla community for her entire life. Locals would remember her friendly face from Stolz Furnishings. She started volunteering with Tomorrow Today this year as a Kinder Pal – a program run for the Early Childhood age group.
“I worked for Stolz for many, many years but when I finished up there completely, I realised I had some time and I wanted to put back into my local community. When I saw the article in the Ensign looking for Volunteers with Tomorrow Today, I called to find out more about what they needed and how I could help.”
Cathy goes to Gum Nuts Resort Childcare Centre twice a week to help with the 3-year-old and 4-year-old kinder groups. “Sometimes I take a book in from home. I might read to the children in small groups and then we talk about the story, or the pictures or the children might ask me questions. Sometimes I might do other activities with them. I really enjoy being a Kinder Pal, there is never a dull moment! Seeing things through the children’s eyes, listening to their conversations and sharing some laughter, it’s just a joy!”
Rosie says that Tomorrow Today has been fortunate to have welcomed a number of new volunteers this year who have taken to their roles with enthusiasm, but there is always room for more people to participate. “We welcome new volunteers all through the year, so if you think you have time and energy to spare we’d love to hear from you!”
Tomorrow Today has volunteer Reading Buddies who work in primary schools and others who assist in the PEEP program for 0-5 years olds. For older children, Connect9 Mentors are paired with a young person in Year 9 and over a 10-week program they participate together in activities including Venturers, art, going to the gym, a nighttime scavenger hunt and a gliding day graduation.