The Gift of a Volunteer

The following guest blog post was written by Kyra Henry, Administrative Assistant at Threshold Housing Society, in praise of one of their volunteers.  Thank you Kyra, for sharing how impactful Fran’s presence has been on your organization!

I would like to tell you about Ms. Fran McArthur, our quilter extraordinaire and office support volunteer.  Let me explain.

We have two homes for youth-at-risk in Victoria.  When a resident is ready to leave, they are given a quilt to take with them.  They are told that each stitch represents love and hope for their future.  They do not know the women that have worked on these quilts, but they are made with love and these women want the youth to know that the community cares about them.

Fran donates her time and her own materials to make these quilts for our youth.   She has donated two quilts for our fundraising events with never a hesitation on her part.  Fran belongs to a quilters group and she has been driving force in getting her friends and group involved with making “Quilts for Kids” who live at Threshold.   Fran, herself, has made a number of these quilts.

Her concern for our youth to have a meaningful gift when they leave Threshold has bought many tears to both the girls and the boys who have received them.  For many it brings back a better time in their lives.  (Often a youth had a handmade quilt when younger, made by a grandparent.)

When I first started work at Threshold Housing Society, Fran also volunteered in the office, helping me get organized.  She has also helped with cleaning the houses.  She’s just the person you know you can count on as she’s always ready to pitch in and help with any task.  She is gentle, kind and caring. 

I’d like to recognize Fran McArthur for her dedication, her enthusiasm in everything she does and for sharing her creativity with all of us at Threshold.

To learn about volunteer opportunities with Threshold Housing Society, click here.

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