Committed to the Cause
Betty Parnwell, a volunteer at our Greerton Charity Shop, is recognised for her long service.
Our ‘family’ of nearly 900 volunteers are special folk and we appreciate just how wonderful each one of them is. In this issue of Waipuna Connections, we want to introduce you to Betty Parnwell, one of our longest standing, currently active volunteers from our Greerton Charity Shop.
Betty has been volunteering at our Greerton Charity Shop for over 19 years. In the beginning she used it as a way to keep herself busy while her husband was still working – 19 years later and Betty is still volunteering with Waipuna Hospice.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering for me is meeting people. I have made some lovely friends at the shop, and I often get recognised while walking down the street with my husband. People will stop and say hello and ask how I am.”
“I also enjoy shopping here! Our staff love to see all the fabulous gifted items and can’t resist shopping. However, my favourite thing about volunteering is I get so much satisfaction out of doing something to helps others. There are so many families in our community who are affected by a terminal illness. It is so rewarding to know I am doing my bit to help care for them.”
“I will be 82 in June, and intend to keep volunteering while I can. I have rheumatoid arthritis and get a bit sore at times, but I can’t just sit at home and moan.”
“Volunteering is an enjoyable day out. We have a really friendly team here too which makes it fun. Every now and again someone will burst out laughing and a customer will say ‘I think I should volunteer here’, and we always say, why not?”
Waipuna Hospice would like to say thank you to Betty Parnwell for sharing her story with us. If you would like to share your story please click here.
This story was first published in our newsletter – Waipuna Connections, issue 77.
