CSS honours community volunteers

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Although a single working mom and a volunteer with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Society, Lloydminster's Angeline Joy dedicated whatever spare time she had to Catholic Social Services' Helping Hands program for seniors. Joy helped the seniors with their housecleaning, laundry and yard work or just to pay them a visit.

Joy was one of several volunteers whose outstanding community service was acknowledged by Catholic Social Services June 6 at its 45th annual meeting.

Monica Neitz was recognized for her work with the multicultural seniors support group, helping immigrant seniors become more independent by providing a safe place for them to meet and discuss issues such as economic dependence, elder abuse, isolation and depression.

Literacy skills

For two years, Sandra Rosenthal has volunteered in the disability service area, helping disabled adults improve their reading and writing skills. She also runs exercise groups.

In the summer, Rosenthal takes the group out for a walk on Friday evenings, while in the winter they can be found in an indoor pool splashing away.

Sterling Sparshu has been a positive role model for young teens in the One-to-One Youth Mentor volunteer program for two years. He has been partnered with one youth, whom Sparshu has inspired to the point the youth is now planning to go to university.

Immigration and Settlement Service offers the Host Program where Mark and Rosalie Urban have been volunteers since 1997.

The Urbans, along with their children, have been matched with 11 newly arrived refugee or immigrant families, welcoming the newcomers into the community. The Urbans have contributed more than 1,300 volunteer hours.

Joan Carr, superintendent of Edmonton Catholic Schools, was announced as chairperson for the 2007 Sign of Hope Campaign.

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