‘Army behind the army’, Captain of the Melfort Salvation Army on the importance of volunteers

Some of the volunteers with the army spend five days a week helping out for many hours each day. During the busy Christmas season, there are about 100 different volunteers that help with Christmas hampers at the store and sitting at donation collection kettles.

The past Christmas season was a different story with some potential volunteers still hesitant to be out and about due to public health restrictions in place.

“People weren’t wanting to put themselves at risk on the kettles specifically so that created challenges across the country, but the community did really step up and help us have a successful season,” Robins said.

On top of his work at the Salvation Army, Robins can often be found volunteering his time with other organizations.

Robins is the interim president of the Rotary Club of Melfort and has been involved for 13 years, six of those in Melfort.

“Something that attracted me to Rotary is the outreach that it desires to have to make a difference in the community,” Robins said. “Rotary is also all around the world, doing work not just at home but abroad as well.”

A recent quote of ‘It’s not what you gather but what you scatter that is important,” from retired Dr. Lionel Lavoie when he was speaking to members of the Rotary Club of Melfort about volunteering has really stuck with Robins.

“Volunteerism really is gathering what you have learnt over the years and scattering it into your community and making a difference,” Robins said. ” We can gather all we want but if we don’t scatter anything then it is kind of meaningless.”

Highlights from his volunteer career include raising money for Rotary International for shelter box, North East Outreach and Support Services, and the helipad in Melfort.

Rick Robins at a Melfort Mustangs annual teddy bear toss. (Facebook/Melfort Mustangs)

Prior to moving to Melfort, Robins was a Rotarian in British Columbia where he was part of a waterfront stage made out of cedar logs project and a memorial brick wall.

In Melfort, he also gives his time to the Mustangs organization and anywhere else he sees a need.

“I’m the kind of person that if I see somewhere that needs help, I try to get in there and help as best as I can,” Robins said. “I can’t just walk away from a need so I just help where I can.”

Support for organizations through donations is extremely important but the giving support through time is of greatest value.

“We all know things cost money but you also need hands to put the money to work,” Robins said.

He made a special mention of numerous volunteer organizations in the northeast that make an impact including Rotary, Kinsmen, Lions, and Elks. He also thanked Lavoie as well as fellow Rotarians for the work they continue to do on a volunteer basis.

“I hope that people will take some time to volunteer in their community today to make a difference for their community,” Robins said.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

by Angie Rolheiser

‘Army behind the army’, Captain of the Melfort Salvation Army on the importance of volunteers

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