LAC LA BICHE – For Paulette Seliski, being active through volunteering allows her to interact with people while knowing that she is also making a difference in her community.
The Lac La Biche senior helps at the Lac La Biche Heritage Society and is a member of the local chapter of the Order of the Royal Purple. She also volunteers to work at casino fundraising events in Fort McMurray that are put on by various community organizations.
“It makes you feel really good about yourself,” Seliski said. “You meet a lot of people from different avenues of life.”
During luncheon events at the Lac La Biche Heritage Society, Seliski works at the front entrance collecting payments. She sometimes lends a hand at other functions hosted by the senior’s centre, including donating food and baked items.
Further, she participates in some recreational activities offered by the centre as well.
“I also help out at the bingos,” she said. “I play floor curling once a week, and I really like it.”
For the past 15 years, Seliski has been a member of the Lac La Biche Lodge #309 of the Order of the Royal Purple, a charitable organization whose ranks are comprised of women who get together about once a month to see where they can lend a helping hand.
The work that Seliski has done through the Order of the Royal Purple has involved taking part in fundraising initiatives, including those designed to raise money for the William J. Cadzow Health Centre in Lac La Biche.
“Our casino money goes to the hospital. So, we’ve donated to the x-ray department, to the lab, to the emergency, and to acute care and extended care,” she explained.
Staying active and volunteering during her senior years provides seniors with an outlet for mingling, and creates a desire to want to continue to be involved in the community, said Seliski
“It’s good socializing, and it makes you want to do more,” she said. “The more you do, the more you want to do.”
Alberta Seniors Week take place from June 2 to 8 and acknowledges seniors and their contributions to the community.
