Trudy Vermaas’s volunteer work is a story of one thing leading to another. Trudy lived in Sooke for 10 years then returned to her native Holland for 16 years, finally relocating to Sooke for good in 2006.
Within a short time, Trudy began volunteering with Edward Milne Community School Society, as a board member and then as treasurer on the Executive. In that role, she began attending CASA meetings as a liaison to the EMCS Board. As a result of that connection she became involved with the community gardens at CASA and Edward Milne Community School. From there, she went on to volunteer with the Youth Council Steering Committee.
Trudy also believes in sharing what she has learned in life. Having experienced chronic pain, as a result of her strenuous nursing duties, she completed a training program through the University of Victoria Centre for Aging, to facilitate” Living with Chronic Pain” workshops. She is passionate about helping others and teaching has reminded her to take better care of herself.
In early 2013, Trudy became an active member of the Sooke Region Volunteer Centre Steering Committee. When the Volunteer Centre opened its doors in November 2013, Trudy volunteered to be the friendly face that welcomes the community to the centre, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. each week. This volunteer positions allows her to use all her skills and personal qualities – interviewing potential volunteers and referring them to the organizations that could use their skills. Outside her time at the volunteer centre, Trudy is an enthusiastic ambassador for the Centre. She is eager to share the difference volunteering has made in her life and the benefits the volunteer centre provides for both volunteers and volunteer agencies in Sooke. Who knows where she will go from here, as she has learned, one volunteer job always leads to another.
Come find out more about what is happening in your communities: Sooke Region Volunteer/Non-Profit Fair, Sat. April 12, 2014, 12- 3 p.m. at the Sooke Child, Youth & Family Centre, 2145 Townsend Road, Sooke. Grand Opening of the Sooke Region Volunteer Centre Office 2 p.m.