At our May Celebrate Telecare Annual General Meeting, members welcomed Donna Fournier and Paul Putman to the board of directors. Bill Strom asked each to share why they were drawn to serving on the board.

Donna Fournier responded:
I have always been drawn to people who need extra care as I have a daughter with disabilities and had to learn how to communicate and advocate for her since she was little. Also, my work involves a lot of phone calls, dealing with people of all ages and walks of life. Some are in need of a listening ear and encouragement, so I decided that I needed some extra education in that, and was recommended to take the Telecare Crisis training in the early part of 2020. Then, was asked to be a volunteer on the phone lines after the training which I started in May 2020. It has been a learning curve for sure, and so far, it has been a huge blessing to me to serve in this way.

Earlier this year in 2021, I was approached about possibly serving on the Telecare Board which I prayed about and decided that it would be a stretch for me but also good for me to be able to make a difference at a different level.

So, here I am, looking forward to the part the Lord has for me in this new adventure.

I am grateful and blessed to be part of this ministry and praying the Lord can use me in some small way to make a difference.

Paul Putman responded:

My wife Cathy and I have lived in Abbotsford for the last 25 years. We have 6 children and 7 grandchildren. Needless to say, we keep ourselves busy and there is never a dull moment. I currently work for a poultry company and have two favourite hobbies, golfing and woodworking.

I was drawn to volunteer with Telecare a few years ago and so took the training. I have always believed that we as Christians have a responsibility to give back the love and compassion God has shown us. During the time I served, I was touched and challenged by the needs of some people I had contact with, and this drew me into a questioning and thought-provoking search within myself. I stopped volunteering during the COVID crisis and like everyone else I closed in around myself and my environment.

Recently I was approached by one of the board members and asked to consider volunteering as a board member. I felt unworthy, mainly because I had not been active recently. But after thinking about it, I have seen it as God reaching back out to me to recommit myself to the vision of reaching out and serving others.

If you have questions or feedback to these or any board members, send them to Board Chair Janet Hitchcock at jhitchco@telus.net. Other board members include MaryAnn Groeneweg, Barry Ashton, Sharon Tungate, and Kennedy Sanna.