Photo submitted

Kennedy resident honoured with 2007 Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal
By Lizz Bottrell, Citizen Staff

For Margaret Debenham, volunteering is a way of life. “We did it as kids,” said Debenham. My mom volunteered so much. There were nine of us kids and every night we’d help out a neighbor. There was no pay, maybe at Christmas they’d send a box of oranges for nine kids.” That’s where Debenham got her volunteer start, so many years ago.

On April 30, Debenham was recognized for the countless hours she’d spent volunteering over the years. During a ceremony in Regina, she was one of eight who were presented with the 2007 Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal by His Honour the Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart, S.O.M. Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.

Debenham felt really surprised yet very honoured to learn someone nominated her for the prestigious award. She wrote this in an email, stating her gratitude: “I felt so humble yet so honoured at this award presentation. As we all know there are others in the province that should have been selected. I congratulate the other seven recipients and a special thanks to the group that sent my name in as I am not very educated.”

Anyone who sat and visited with Debenham for even a mere hour could see just how much her wonderful outlook on life could brighten a person’s day. With her young granddaughter on her lap, Debenham joked around, making anyone in her presence feel at ease. Her infectious laugh definitely came in handy during her many years working with seniors. “I used to spend a lot of time with seniors,” said Debenham. “I was the housing manager and if they’d have to move I’d help them move for nothing. I’d volunteer my time.”

One of her most memorable and most hard working volunteer moments involved a wonderful lady who’s now aged well into her 90’s. “I helped one lady, her name is Freda Hazard, she’s in the Wolseley Care Home,” said Debenham. “She’s 95-years-old now, but her mind is still sharp. I spent three months helping her get ready for an auction sale. It was a three-storey house we had to get ready. One thing we did was take all the doilies and stretched them out. She was really pleased with her sale, but I was sure tired! I had to get my husband, my son and the neighbor boy to help because I couldn’t move the beds downstairs. That was the biggest labour volunteer job I ever did.”

Sadly, Debenham worries with rising costs of pretty much everything, less and less people will spend their time volunteering with the elderly. “Unless it’s a relative, I can’t see many people doing that today,” said Debenham. “Back then I’d take them to get their medications and I’d even pay for the gas. I couldn’t do that today! I used to take them for coffee and I’d pay because I invited them. It used to be that two dollars for a muffin and coffee would cover you. Now it’d be five dollars. You just don’t see many people doing that today.”

Further, with all the new rules surrounding health care, she also feels that hinders some people’s will to volunteer. “All the rules today, a lot of people don’t want to be bothered with it,” said Debenham. Maybe if they didn’t have those rules more people would volunteer.”

Although Debenham spent countless years volunteering her time with seniors, the main reason she was honoured with the medal was for all her work with preserving both her family history and Kennedy’s history. “I was diagnosed with cancer in 1990 and the doctor said the best thing to do was keep your brain occupied,” said Debenham. “So I sat down and mailed a whole bunch of letters to several relatives.” That’s how she got started with collecting historical information. The rest, as they say, is history.

Debenham’s volunteering may be slowing down, but she’s not ready to throw in the towel yet. “I got a call from Estevan to lead a team for the Relay for Life on June 14,” said Debenham. “I’m on the Green Team. Me and Austin Green will make the first lap.” For anyone unfamiliar with Relay for Life, it’s one of the Canadian Cancer Society’s fundraisers. The first lap is saved for cancer survivors.

As the years continue to pass by, Debenham plans to do what she can. “To me it’s a real fulfillment,” said Debenham. “I’ve always been taught to do unto others what you want done unto you. I just hope to live long enough to see it!”