Barbara Sutherland - Reception Volunteer

Today we're chatting with Barb Sutherland, who you may have talked to before if you've ever called the front desk and she was on reception duty!  Barb is one of our amazing reception volunteers, who act the first point contact at Canuck Place. Reception volunteers assist the full-time receptionist with reception & switchboard duties for the hospice during the evenings and weekends.

Here, Barb talks to us about her experience holding down the fort at the front desk.

How long have you volunteered at Canuck Place Children's Hospice?
I started at the Bentall Centre in May of 1994 doing Thursday afternoon reception shifts. I moved to the hospice when it opened the following year. Then some time in the 2000's, I worked as the Administrative Assistant there. I took early retirement and as Canuck Place meant so much to me, returned to volunteering for Office Reception and Finance.

What's your favaourite kind of Canuck Place cookie?
White chocolate chip cookies.

Describe yourself in five words.
I enjoy giving to people.

Share one of your most meaningful moments at the hospice.
I have more than one! Interactions with the kids at front desk, special events like Family Winter Festival, Breakfast with Santa, Family Summer BBQ.  All those have meant so much to me - just being in the presence of the children and families all enjoying themselves and embracing life.

Why volunteer? What brought you to Canuck Place? 
I like to give back in my own way to the community.  I worked at Children’s Hospital and got to know Brenda Eng and Betty Davies who dreamt of opening a children’s hospice here in Canada after visiting the one in England.  How I came to Canuck Place was really the work of life's crossing of paths!