Winnipeg Search and Rescue might be looking for you.
The local non-profit, which assists law enforcement officials during search-and-rescue operations, needs volunteers.
Randy Antonio, who started the group almost 20 years ago, says there are “many positive takeaways” from his involvement.
“I enjoy the outdoors (and) the ability to contribute as part of a larger team,” says the 61-year-old St. Andrews resident.
“I enjoy learning, and probably enjoy teaching and mentoring more. I hope that my contributions to the (ground search-and-rescue) community outlive me, as that would be a pretty meaningful legacy.”
Now a retired Winnipeg Police Service sergeant, Antonio’s involvement with search-and-rescue operations dates back to the early 2000s. He was first introduced to it as a paid on-call firefighter in St. Andrews.
Knowing that there was a significant population in Winnipeg that could not access opportunities as search-and-rescue volunteers outside the rural fire service, Antonio collaborated with a group of WPS members, most with military backgrounds, to form a team of trained searchers. He began offering the group’s assistance to the RCMP.
At that time, the group called itself GST, which stood for Ground Search Team.
Eventually, he expanded the team to include volunteers from all walks of life who trained and equipped themselves to assist with searches for the WPS and RCMP.
The team was rebranded as Winnipeg Search and Rescue and was formally added to the Search and Rescue Manitoba Volunteer Association.
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.
Riverview Health Centre needs gift shop attendants. The volunteers are responsible for providing friendly and courteous service to customers while handling cash and debit transactions using a point-of-sale system, balancing the register at the end of each shift. Strong customer service and communication skills, and the ability to manage financial transactions accurately, are essential. The openings are Mondays from 12:45 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. A criminal record check is required. Apply at http://wfp.to/CHT by Oct. 31.
Skate Canada Manitoba needs volunteers for the Skate Canada Challenge, from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. The national event will feature more than 200 junior and senior skaters vying for a chance to compete at the 2025 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Volunteers can take on roles at official sites, including arenas and hotels, in areas such as general assistance, venue operations, registration and transportation. Volunteers must be at least 15 and demonstrate strong communication skills, teamwork and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Apply at http://wfp.to/CHl by Nov. 6.
Misericordia Health Centre is seeking volunteers for its surgical complex post-anesthesia care unit. They will help discharged patients by transporting them to the appropriate place, disinfecting equipment, changing linens and providing refreshments while maintaining cleanliness. Volunteers should respect diverse cultures, be interested in health care and work well in teams or independently. The role offers health-care experience and customer service skill development for those interested in a related career. Apply at http://wfp.to/CHJ by Dec. 15.
St. Amant needs program and recreation assistants. The role involves helping clients in engaging with program activities to enhance their well-being and quality of life. The openings are weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers who are 12 or older, with strong interpersonal and English language skills and a willingness to help, are encouraged to apply. Volunteers should be prepared to meet the physical demands and have clear criminal record, adult and child-abuse registry checks. Apply at stamant.ca or volunteer@stamant.ca by Dec. 31.
Boo at the Zoo needs volunteers who can take on various roles, including visitor services concierge and event ambassadors. Volunteers must be adults and are encouraged to wear family-friendly Halloween costumes and commit to at least two shifts during the spooky event, which runs from Oct. 4th to Oct. 31st. Apply at http://wfp.to/C3x by Oct. 24.
The Leftovers Foundation, a food rescue charity with a mission of reducing food waste and increasing access to food for people facing barriers, is gearing up for Home Harvest. The program facilitates the rescue of homegrown food. Community members can participate by signing up through their website or mobile app to become a donor (grower) or volunteer to complete routes. Growers with excess produce can submit a request any time, and volunteers can harvest and deliver the produce to local service agencies and keep a portion for themselves. Volunteers can sign up in groups or as individuals. Email homeharvest@rescuefood.ca or go to rescuefood.ca for more information. Apply by Oct. 30.
Seine River Services for Seniors is seeking volunteers with vehicles to provide transportation services to older adults who live in the rural municipalities of La Broquerie and Ste. Anne and in the Town of Ste. Anne. Most requests are from seniors needing to go to Winnipeg for appointments. Volunteers use their personal vehicles and must have proper insurance but are compensated with a mileage rate. Volunteers receive transportation requests and transportation details from the co-ordinator. All applicants are subject to several criminal and abuse checks, at no cost to the volunteer. Apply at src@seineriverservicesforseniors.ca or 204-424-5285 by Dec. 10.
The Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre needs wildlife education volunteers. These volunteers will teach people about local wildlife while interacting with the centre’s unique, non-releasable wildlife ambassadors. Must be 16 or older. Once trained, volunteers will present educational programs in schools, day camps and various events. The time commitment is flexible. Apply at http://wfp.to/C3z by Dec. 20.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Antonio may have the title of “chief operations officer” today, but he fills many roles, including searcher, team leader, search manager, lead instructor, first-aid attendant, events co-ordinator, external agency liaison, truck washer, coach and mentor.
“I am not unique in that many of our members have to wear several hats in order to keep Winnipeg Search and Rescue operating smoothly,” he says.
For the last two decades, Antonio has attended almost every major search in the province, as well as training sessions across Canada. He volunteers a few hundred hours annually for searches, training, equipment maintenance and administration.
“I am a man of humble background that life treated pretty good and I enjoy being able to give something back,” he says.
In addition to his involvement with Winnipeg Search and Rescue, Antonio is the vice-president of the Search and Rescue Manitoba Volunteer Association and the provincial representative for AdventureSmart, a national search-and-rescue prevention program.
Antonio was recognized for his efforts earlier this year when he was presented with a Premier’s Volunteer Service Award at the 40th Annual Volunteer Awards.
“I was pretty humbled sitting at the volunteer awards,” he says. “I know there are a lot of unsung heroes out there, so to be recognized is significant.”
Ultimately, Antonio likes to direct any attention he receives back to Winnipeg Search and Rescue, which is currently recruiting volunteers.
The organization’s volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and work together toward the same goal: finding missing people before they come to harm.
People who are physically fit and 18 years of age or older are invited to email info@winnipegsearchandrescue.ca to request recruiting information.
Visit winnipegsearchandrescue.ca to read more about the requirements and desirable characteristics for being a volunteer.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
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.
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