Barbara-Anne Hodge feels a motherly connection to Mamingwey Burn Society, a non-profit that supports burn survivors and their loved ones.
“My kids know I say Mamingwey is my fifth child,” Hodge says. “This is my baby.”
That the 61-year-old La Salle resident feels so strongly about the organization makes sense, as she has volunteered with burn survivors for more than 25 years.
Hodge was an occupational therapist at Health Sciences Centre in 1998 when some of her colleagues planned and hosted Burn Survivor Sunday, a half-day event where survivors, their families and medical staff could gather to share their healing journeys.
In her work, Hodge treated burn survivors for their physical injuries and saw first-hand the psychological aspects of living with scars. She came to understand that people needed support.
“At that first Burn Survivor Sunday, I saw people coming together, seeing others who had walked a similar path and you could just feel the energy of that and the good work that was done that day,” Hodge says. “So I was hooked. There was no one else in the community that provided that kind of service.”
The group continued to organize events for survivors in the years that followed. Eventually, Burn Survivor Sunday morphed into an annual two-day conference.
In 2003, the organizing committee established Mamingwey Burn Society to keep its work going. An Indigenous elder suggested the name. It means butterfly in Ojibwe and refers to the journey every human makes through life’s cycle of transformation — a journey where strength and frailty co-exist.
Hodge was appointed chairperson that year, a role she’s held ever since. In 2015, she retired from HSC so that she could focus more of her time on Mamingwey.
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.
The Henteleff Park Foundation needs a volunteer co-ordinator to lead the recruitment, training and encouragement of volunteers. A committee helps with this work, and mentorship will be provided. The position is most active from April to September, averaging two to eight hours per week during those months. Email john.borody@henteleffpark.org for details. The deadline is Nov. 15.
Champlain Community Centre is seeking to fill several positions. People who are passionate about their community, have basic knowledge of team sports and are comfortable around children are needed to host/supervise the gym space during community events and drop-in programming. A variety of days and times are available. Email programs@champlaincc.ca with your resumé or to ask for more information. The deadline is Nov. 30.
Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre needs casual/on-call volunteers for its sexual assault recovery and healing (SARAH) crisis program. Working in relationship with the RCMP and hospitals in the Interlake-Eastern region, volunteers provide compassionate care and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault. Volunteers must be 18 or older, have a reliable vehicle and be able to attend training sessions in Selkirk on Jan. 18 and Jan. 19, and virtually on Feb. 1 and 2. For more information, email volunteer@survivors-hope.ca, or apply via email or at http://wfp.to/Co7 by Dec. 20.
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 until Oct. 31st. Apply at http://wfp.to/C3x by Oct. 24.
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.
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. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by Nov. 15.
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.
Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer needs board members to help Manitobans with expenses nobody else will cover. Meetings are via Teams. Apply at http://wfp.to/Cbj or info@helpinghands4mbwbc.com by June 25.
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.
Today, Mamingwey hosts regular online support groups, holds a fundraising run every April, awards a handful of scholarships annually and organizes a week-long summer camp for burn survivors ages six to 17.
The society is gearing up for its annual conference, which takes place Oct. 24-26 at Canad Inns Polo Park. The theme is, “We All Belong,” and Lise Deguire, a psychologist, author and burn survivor, is the keynote speaker.
Hodge recalls someone telling her that a conference for burn survivors sounded like the most depressing thing ever, but in her experience, the opposite is true.
“When a group of burn survivors comes together, they know they don’t have to hide scars or worry about being stared at,” Hodge says. “They know that they are among people who understand.
“So the atmosphere at a conference is extremely positive. It is upbeat, healing and more like a family reunion. I never get tired of that feeling.”
Ashley Wilson, a burn survivor who was involved with Mamingwey from 2015 to 2022, describes Hodge as “compassionate, loving (and) strong,” and praises her dedication to the society.
“She has really put the society and the members in it at the forefront of her life,” Wilson says. “If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know if there would be an organization. She is like the mother hen of (Mamingwey).”
In addition to her involvement with Mamingwey, Hodge sits on the board of directors at Canadian Skin Patient Alliance and she recently completed 16 years on the board of the Canadian Burn Survivors Community. She also volunteers at her church.
“I was raised to understand that it’s important to help people who need help,” Hodge says. “When I go out, I just want to know that I did as much as I could to help suffering wherever I found it.”
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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