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Concordians give back  

Centraide campaign set to launch

By Anna Sarkissian

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As the semester heats up and students start feeling the crunch, religion major Amie Henton juggles work, classes and her social life – plus her bi-weekly visits to the supermarket with a senior from the Elderly Project.

Operated by the Yellow Door, the initiative is part of a network of agencies and projects that are supported by Centraide of Greater Montreal (known outside Quebec as United Way).

With Concordia’s Centraide campaign set to launch in mid-October, the time is ripe to become more familiar with organizations that will benefit from the university’s fundraising.

The Elderly Project aims to help seniors in downtown Montreal maintain their independence and continue living in their homes, while encouraging dialogue, involvement in the community and artistic expression.

According to Centraide, more than a third of Montreal seniors live alone, which can result in isolation, poor health, and psychological distress, among other things.

For people with a packed schedule, taking the first step to become a volunteer can be a daunting task. Giving back to the community doesn’t mean signing your life away.

In between classes or when her schedule permits, Henton responds to the Elderly Project’s weekly callouts for volunteers to visit seniors, accompany them to medical appointments, or run errands.

“It’s really heartbreaking to see this 102-year-old woman who has to do everything for herself,” Henton says.

The woman loves jazz and often talks about meeting Louis Armstrong decades ago. All of her friends and family have come and gone, which is where Henton steps in to take her grocery shopping.

“I can imagine she’s dressed and ready for me at 9 a.m.,” she says. “She’s so grateful. When I finish, I really feel like I’ve done something good. I hope someone will take care of me when I’m old.”

Last year, Concordians raised a whopping $183 503 for the Centraide network through payroll deductions, bake sales, pasta lunches, and a CARE-y-oke event. The organizing committee has set the bar even higher for 2009-10, hoping to bring in $190 000. Permanent university employees will be able to make contributions online for the first time this year.

Centraide will kick off their city-wide campaign Oct. 1 with the March of 1 000 Umbrellas to Complexe Desjardins.

To get involved with Concordia’s activities, contact the campaign’s co-chairs Catherine Mulligan and Miriam Posner. Visit Concordia's Centraide site in the coming weeks for details about this year’s events. For information about volunteering with the Yellow Door, visit their site.

The Concordia University Volunteer Initiative can also help match you up with a volunteering opportunity.