A group dedicated to raising funds for Canada’s oldest ballet turns 75 this year.
The Volunteer Committee of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet is marking its diamond anniversary in a few ways, including an Antiques Roadshow-style fundraiser later this month.
“It’s exciting,” says Elizabeth Morrison, who joined the committee in 2001. “I enjoy being part of an ongoing, dynamic organization.”
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Volunteers Elizabeth Morrison (from left), Evelyn Mitchell, Jane Fudge and Al Friesen inside the Things Supporting the RWB shop on Corydon Avenue.
Founded in 1949, the committee initially served as a ladies auxiliary for the ballet, raising money through yard sales, tours of the company and social events.
In 1967, the committee opened a shop that is now called Things Supporting the RWB. The specialty boutique, located at 913 Corydon Ave., sells consigned and donated items.
The shop offers vintage and contemporary collectibles, including china, crystal, jewelry, artwork, linens and furniture. It’s become the committee’s main source of revenue.
“Despite us all being a certain age, we’re keeping up with the times,” says Evelyn Mitchell, a volunteer since 2017. “We’re on Instagram where we now have over 2,000 followers, and we do online advertising.”
“It speaks to the multitasking efforts of the volunteers here and their ability to stay fresh with what’s happening in the marketplace,” adds Jane Fudge, who joined the group in 2006.
For many years, the committee donated an average of $35,000 annually to the RWB.
In fall 2020, the committee doubled the size of Things when it took over the neighbouring space at 911 Corydon Ave.
“There was a feeling among the executive that we can’t just expand for the sake of expansion,” said Al Friesen, a volunteer since 2005. “So, we increased our annual donation to the RWB threefold.”
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.
Pembina Active Living (55+) needs volunteers to assist with its programs. The ESL Conversation Circle (Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at 933 Summerside Ave., starting Sept. 16) helps newcomers practise speaking through guided conversation. The PAL Cares group volunteers at various places on the first Monday of each month. (Must be able to travel within the community; starts Oct. 7.) Contact Renée Vincent at programs@pal55plus.ca or 204-946-0839.
Winnipeg Search and Rescue needs people with outdoor skills to help with support search calls, training, search-and-rescue prevention programs and support for community events. Many skill sets are needed to support the group, with the focus this year being people who are physically and mentally prepared to deal with the long hours and challenging conditions involved with wilderness and urban searches. Although search and rescue is the primary focus, there is always room for those who can support the group in other roles. Apply at http://wfp.to/Czl before Sept.30.
Buhler Gallery, located inside St. Boniface Hospital, needs ambassadors to help people access and enjoy it. Volunteers welcome visitors, provide information about exhibitions, participate in orientations, meet artists and undertake various gallery tasks. Email sbghvolunteer@sbgh.mb.ca or call 204-237-2442 by Oct. 1.
Basketball Manitoba and the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association need head coaches and assistant coaches. Duties include teaching basketball skills and concepts at team practices and games with the support of the area convenor, and communicating with team members. Experience as a basketball player or coach or involvement as a coach in another sport is an asset. Education opportunities are provided. Games lasting one hour are typically held on weekends, with one or two weeknight practices of up to two hours each. Background checks are required, with costs reimbursed. Apply at wmba.ca, info@wmba.ca or 204-925-5774 by Oct. 1.
Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre needs a facilitator with knowledge and experience in topics related to women and gender-diverse people. The centre offers a variety of workshops and events related to self-care, personal growth, mental health, physical health, art and educational topics, among others, each month. This opportunity is open to women and gender-diverse applicants. Email events@fgwrc.ca by Dec. 1.
Volunteers with a passion for nature are needed at FortWhyte Alive, which offers nearly 40 different guided school programs. Training is provided. Weekday availability is required. Contact Amber Reid at areid@fortwhyte.org or 204-989-8355 (ext. 213) by Jan. 30.
Shelter Movers — a national charity providing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs movers and drivers. Movers must be 18 or older, and drivers must be 21. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by Sept. 15.
The Canadian Cancer Society needs volunteers for the CIBC Run for the Cure, which raises funds for innovative breast cancer research and support programs. Go to http://wfp.to/CMK to apply for opportunities for all ages. The deadline is Oct. 5.
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.
The committee has donated $115,000 to the ballet this year, putting them over the $1.2 million mark in total.
It can be difficult for people to part with the items they donate or consign, so volunteers do their best to put them at ease.
“We tell them: we’re going to find someone who loved this as much as you did,” Mitchell says. “And we do.”
One time, an old mahjong set arrived at the shop. Tucked inside were handwritten notes explaining how to play the Chinese tabletop game.
A volunteer realized it was the exact set that had once belonged to her mother. Her mother had brought it from Scotland and the instructions were in her handwriting.
The volunteer bought it so it could stay in the family.
More recently, a family of refugees from Ukraine found the exact china set they left behind when they fled the war-torn country.
“The serendipity of getting an item from one hand into another hand leads to magical stories like this,” Fudge says.
On Sept. 21, Things is hosting the Things Roadshow at St. Luke’s Anglican Church (130 Nassau St. N.). For a $10 fee, people who are interested in consigning their treasures at Things can have their items evaluated.
The volunteer committee will also host a celebratory luncheon Oct. 10 at the Winnipeg Winter Club as part of its annual general meeting. The following month, it will throw a customer appreciation event at Things.
It’s all in support of a cultural institution that the volunteers care about deeply.
“Truly the 75th is an amazing feat for most organizations,” Fudge says. “The fact that we expanded during COVID is a testament to the determination of all the volunteers to explore new horizons and ultimately it’s been extremely beneficial to the RWB.”
New consigners, customers and volunteers are welcome.
Learn more at thingsforrwb.com, or by emailing thingsconsignment@shaw.ca or calling 204-284-7331.
If you know a special volunteer, please contact 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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