At the age of 78, Diane knows how lucky she is:
“I’ve been married for 52 years. My children are wonderful. I’ve never had a major illness. I’ve received so much from life that I feel indebted. It’s important for me to give a little back.
To our delight, it’s at Little Brothers that she chooses to honor this responsibility since 2020. In fact, her meeting with the Saint-Jérôme regional team was entirely fortuitous:
“I’d just moved house and was taking a walk in the area. I saw the sign. I just walked right in. That was the start of something big.
Give a little, a lot, passionately
Volunteering with a 96-year-old Great Friend, Diane also takes care of the logistics involved in organizing community dinners. What’s more, she nurtures a number of partnerships that help enrich the quality of services offered to isolated seniors:
“The grocery store donates cupcakes that we give to Great Friends on their birthdays. Another organization provides beautiful greeting cards. Even the pharmacy gives us cosmetic samples!”
An avid knitter, she is also happy to share her creations with seniors. To date, she has designed no fewer than a dozen shawls, in addition to holding a few knitting sessions. Thanks to her, the Cercle des fermières, of which she is a member, now supplies the organization with wool.
Committed to pleasure
While Diane often lifts a hand to help out, she is adamant about her free time:
“My life is very full. I go for a walk every morning and I never miss a hairdressing appointment. My granddaughters are still young. Being there for them is a priority. I have no obligation to Little Brothers. I’m there to support them, not to exceed my limits. I always give for pleasure.
Speaking of pleasure, she has vivid memories of her time at the Domaine Juliette-Huot, where, last summer, she accompanied Great Friends for a few days’ rest.
For someone who hadn’t been away from her husband for such a long time in years, she finds herself looking forward to repeating the experience:
“I was so proud to be there for people, to help them, to make them feel like they were in a restaurant at mealtimes, to see the smiles on their faces. This is their only vacation. Like everyone else, they deserve the best.”
In summer, as in the rest of the year, everyone benefits from volunteering with Little Brothers, according to Diane:
“I could be my Great Friend’s daughter, and it feeds me because I lost my mother early in life. Regardless of age, everyone is there for a reason. I know a young volunteer who is still in school. It’s different for her, but either way, you get attached.”
Dear Diane, thank you for all the moments of happiness you bring to our Great Friends! Each of your attentions, because they come from the heart, are a source of warmth and comfort in their lives!
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