Mary Ellen French
About Mary Ellen…
"Before I retired, I worked in schools and saw first-hand the difference that volunteers make as they support student nutrition programs, organize fun family activities and give input to the principal through School Council, read with students 1:1 so they get additional reading practice and enrich students' school experience in many other ways. In the wider community, I see volunteers supporting so many organizations - some like Rebound which offers much-needed services at no cost, and others like public libraries and arts centres that are able to run programs that enrich people's lives. Volunteers allow any organization to keep its expenses down so that programs and services can be offered at a reduced rate or even no cost, like all of Rebound's programming, including tutoring. There's an intrinsic value and deep satisfaction in knowing that you're contributing to the lives of others in your community when you volunteer; we volunteer because it makes us feel good and not because it's our "job".
The first thing I did when I retired at the end of January 2019 was come into Rebound the following week to apply to be a volunteer. I had known for a long time that this was the organization I wanted to support with my time once I had more of it to give. Working in schools, I saw so many children and youth who benefitted from the programs and services that Rebound has to offer and I wanted to ensure that Rebound is able to continue to grow and meet the needs of even more children, youth, and families well into the future. When I volunteer, whether as a member of the Board of Directors or as Chair of the Fund Development Committee, or at the bingo hall twice a month as a fundraiser for Rebound, I feel connected to others, to the staff at Rebound who are doing incredible work every day, and to the families in my community who grow healthier because of their involvement with Rebound. I am proud to be a Rebound volunteer and would encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about what's possible to reach out to Stacey at Rebound to see what volunteer opportunities they can lend their time and talents to!"