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Volunteer: Glen Thelin

In celebration of National Volunteer Week a Sooke resident is profiled
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Glen Thelin

Volunteering is often an extension of what a person loves to do, and that is certainly the case with Glen Thelin.  Glen has been a gardener since he planted his first vegetable patch at the age of nine.  He is now a professional gardener, caring for private gardens in the Sooke region.  He also volunteers many hours each week with the Sunriver Garden (SRG) in a variety of capacities.

Glen is responsible for registering the 80+ families renting plots at the garden; including contacting each plot holder, assigning plots, and then problem solving the countless issues that arise when cultivating a community project.  He is also a member of the SRG site committee, which coordinates the general maintenance and decision making around the common areas of the garden.

Glen is also leading the development of the heritage orchard, nurturing precious cuttings from age-old fruit trees in our area.  He and fruit tree expert, Clayton Whitney, have been offering pruning, grafting and fruit tree care workshops for the past two years at the garden, encouraging local backyard gardeners to develop their own fruit production.  Each year at ‘Seedy Saturday’ Glen mans the Sooke Food CHI booth, enticing would be and experienced gardeners alike to join the Sunriver garden community. Glen’s young start at gardening generated a keen interest in seeing young people get excited about gardening, and encourages all folks to just get their hands in the dirt.

“You learn by doing and it’s ok to make mistakes, just get started,” he said.

In keeping with his passion for gardening, he helps the Sooke Philharmonic find outstanding gardens each year for the Sooke’s Secret Garden Tour.  This October, he will be doing a hands- on pruning workshop for the Sooke Garden Club.

When he is not volunteering, he can usually be found puttering away the hours in his own garden, rarely taking off his gumboots until the sun sets on another gardening day.

Come meet other dedicated volunteers and the many organizations they serve at the Second Annual Sooke Region Volunteer Fair, Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 12 – 4 p.m. at the Sooke Community Hall, Sheilds Road. The Youth-Seniors Forum will be held at the same date and location from 10 – 12 noon downstairs.  Both events are free.  For more information or to register contact Johanne Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator, 250-514-8865  or email volunteersooke@gmail.com