Pick a local cause, and chances are New Westminster Barbara Der’s volunteered to help.
Der was one of five people awarded by a Burnaby seniors’ home recently, and when you consider her impressive volunteering resumé, it’s no wonder she was singled out for her community contributions.
“(Volunteering) has become so important to me, and I think it’s even more important when you get to (be) a senior,” she says, laughing. “I can get bored easy. I like to be active.”
Der has worked with the B.C. Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors, Burnaby Food First, the Burnaby Historical Society, Community Centred College of the Retired, Woman’s Bank Society, South Burnaby United Church Coordinator, the B.C. Seniors Games, Hyack Festival, Sapperton Days, 12th Street Music Festival and the Anvil Centre.
It’s impossible to list them all, but Der has spent a couple of days each week for most of her life volunteering. That’s on top of raising four kids, working in the charity sector and sitting on city council in Burnaby, where she lived for more than three decades.
Der gets tremendous joy from volunteering and helping others, and one thing is clear from her infectious laugh: the woman is happy as hell.
She has a saying she likes to live by: “Be the kind of woman that each morning when your feet hit the floor, the devil says, ‘Oh crap, she’s up,’” she says laughing. “He hasn’t got me yet!”
Der especially enjoys the organizational side of most events, helping oversee other volunteers.
“It’s meeting the people and ensuring what you give them makes them happy and they enjoy every minute at their volunteer job as I am at mine. That’s important. It’s important to never waste a volunteer,” she says.
“If they don’t enjoy it, they’re not coming back. If I can make them happy, whew, I’m happy.”
Busy people who think they don’t have time to volunteer may help others but they don’t think of it as volunteering, according to Der.
“(If they’ve) done something for their neighbour, that’s volunteering. And more of them have a misconception of volunteering and what it can be because their life is so busy,” she says. “People get intimidated.”
Besides the obvious benefits to others, Der gets a lot out of helping.
“Friendship, a sense of community, knowing you’re making a difference in maybe somebody’s life, enjoyment, giving your life happy moments in your day,” she says.
Der and four Burnaby residents were recently honoured by Harmony Court seniors’ residence for their outstanding contributions, and Der was chosen in the community category.
“It’s the initiative to show we care about our outstanding seniors in our community,” said Harmony Court spokesperson Joel Grigg.
Besides the award, recipients received luggage and gift baskets.
Harmony Court hosted the awards ceremony on Oct. 1 to mark National Seniors Day.
