Guest post by Laurie Young, Canadian Red Cross Communications Volunteer
"Sit back and relax." This was not something Mike Pudelko understood well after retirement. After a lengthy career in computer sciences, he was eager to put his hands to work by volunteering for a worthy cause.
"I had been a supporter of the Red Cross for many years so I was quite interested in seeing what volunteer opportunities existed with them," Pudelko recalls.
When he came across the opportunity to become a volunteer technician with Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program in Red Deer, Alberta, he knew it was a good fit.
He always did like working with equipment and using his hands and thought this would be an excellent opportunity to do just that.
The Health Equipment Loan Program provides people with short-term equipment loans, such as walkers, bathing aids and wheelchairs, when they are dealing with injury or illness, facing mobility issues, or in in palliative care and wish to spend their final days in the comfort of their own home. As a volunteer technician, Pudelko is responsible for inspecting and servicing equipment to ensure that it is safe for those who need it.
When speaking about some of his highlights as a volunteer, Pudelko recalls having the opportunity to work with staff and volunteers in offices across Alberta to help improve processes in equipment maintenance and repair.
"The work is interesting and challenging at times, providing me with a sense of purpose and satisfaction at the end of each day."
Learn more about the
Health Equipment Loan Program or about
volunteer opportunities near you.