Gerry Cumming has been an important member of the Sooke community for over 50 years, volunteering her time for a wide variety of events and organizations.
Her volunteer efforts started just after she arrived in Sooke, when she joined the St. Rose of Lima church. Gerry was and still is actively involved in all aspects of the church, from organizing events such as holiday dinners, craft sales and bake sales to setting up for church services and cleaning up afterwards.
At regular Sooke events such as All Sooke Day and the Sooke Fall Fair, Gerry could be found behind the scenes setting up, cleaning up, washing dishes, putting out food and helping out wherever she was needed.
When her children joined the 4-H club, Gerry generously gave her time to the organization. She drove club members to fairs as far away as Campbell River and organized the fair booths and displays. Many of her homemade cookies and pies were sold to raise money for the local club.
Gerry started as a parent volunteer with the Sooke Figure Skating Club, eventually becoming the club president. As the president, she organized all of the skating programs and instructors, and taught the youngest club members how to skate.
Perhaps her most significant contribution to the community has been through the Sooke Hospice Society. Gerry first started volunteering with the hospice 20 years ago. She was pivotal in expanding the hospice and developing it into the successful program that it is today, and in the development of the Sooke Hospice as its own society, separate from Victoria Hospice. Over the years, she has held every volunteer position within the hospice, including president of the board for several years. She still gives her time to the hospice every week. Go Grandma.
Sooke Region Volunteer/Non-Profit Fair, Sat. April 12, 12 - 3 p.m. at the Sooke Child, Youth & Family Centre, (a.k.a. CASA) 2145 Townsend Road. Grand opening of the Sooke Region Volunteer Centre Office 2 p.m.