May 2025 Volunteer Newsletter Elmira

Thank you!

For the past 20 years, I have worked alongside volunteers, learning their stories and seeing their commitment to making MCC the organization it is today. You are our lifeline to bring peace, development and relief to less-fortunate areas through your hard work and unyielding devotion. From receiving, to many production areas, to retail folks, truck driving and every job between, we could not do what we do without you.

In today’s economic climate, it is not lost on us how fortunate we are to have so many people offering up their time to volunteer with us. Your contributions help local initiatives in our communities from partner organizations with local shelters, churches

and programs that work with newcomers, people struggling with homelessness, and various other enterprises. Globally, MCC can have the impact it does because of all that you do.

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is from April 27 to May 3, and words cannot properly express the amount of gratitude we feel for all your hard work. Let your shop staff teams spoil you rotten this week as you deserve all the good things life has to offer.

On behalf of the Ontario network—thank you!

Karla Musselman Thrift Coordinator

GM’s Corner

“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.” –Jessica Harrelson

Spring is in full bloom and we’re feeling the energy! May is the perfect time to shake off the winter chill, soak up the sunshine and lean into the joy of giving back. Whether you’re planting seeds literally or figuratively, we’re so grateful to have you growing with us.

Move into May:

We’re embracing the fresh air with any outdoor project or even just enjoying the Garden Centre (which opens May 1).

May Moments to Celebrate:

• Mother’s Day – May 11: Shoutout to all the nurturing spirits in our crew—you’re appreciated more than you know.

Little Acts, Big Impact

• Every shift, every smile, every helping hand—you’re what makes this community feel like home. Let’s keep spreading that sunshine together. Change

• As we move into May, you’ll begin to see some of the exciting changes taking shape here at MCC Thrift & Gift. While we will certainly miss Betty and Greg’s contributions and daily presence, I’m confident we’ll also experience fresh energy and new ideas as our staff team develops.

• Change can feel challenging—but it’s also an

BIRTHDAYS May

Kyle Halsband

Serena Martin

Sue Plein

Shirley Frey

Eileen Martin

opportunity to grow, learn and innovate. If you spot anything that’s been overlooked during this transition, or if you have ideas for how we can improve, please reach out to me directly. Your insights are invaluable. Thank you for your flexibility, your positive spirit and your commitment to making MCC Thrift & Gift a welcoming, vibrant place for our customers and each other.

Debbie Siertsema

General Manager MCC Thrift & Gift

Gloria Martin 5/4 5/4 5/17 5/24 5/25 5/26

Mac Kuhns

Jane Hesselink

Nathaniel Julien

Joan McGovern 5/26 5/27 5/28 5/29

Can you spot the difference?

If you look closely at these two photos, one might say they are exactly the same. They are not … but is it ever close! The photograph was inspired by collecting various items that look vintage and represent travel or the long journey of families from perhaps Europe to North America. It has been designed to represent almost a time capsule of items passed down from generations. Once the photo was taken, the real hard work began in transferring it from photo to canvas. One of our volunteers, Shirley Frey, who works in our craft department, is the artist behind this. When asked, Shirley said “painting is just a hobby!” Well, Shirley, thank you so much for sharing your hobby with us. What a gift!

A blessing for our volunteers

Watch the video as a longtime MCC volunteer shares a meaningful prayer—a meaningful reminder of the care and commitment behind every act of service. Thank you for all that you do.

Active Bystander Training

Join Active Bystander Training (TAB) to learn how to safely intervene when you see harmful or isolating behavior. We’ll address bullying, relationship abuse, sexual violence, and emotional distress—helping you overcome hesitation and respond nonviolently. Strengthen our community with everyday actions that make a difference. Sign up and be a force for good!

We will be holding our next TAB workshop on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM on Zoom. If you are interested in attending, please register here (mcc.zoom.us/meeting/register/luCR83gEQPOZmuSB83f5A#/registration)

From Simulation to Orchard: Rockway Students Plant Seeds of Real Change

Your work is supporting peace, climate and the next generation of leaders right here in our community!

What began as a classroom role-playing exercise about managing a climate crisis budget turned into something real—and rooted—at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. “We thought, ‘what if instead of asking them to manage hypothetical money in hypothetical roles, we gave them some actual money?’” says Ken Ogasawara of MCC’s Canadian Advocacy Network.

“When MCC offered us real money to do something, it got serious,” said Oliver Berg, a Grade 11 student. “There was a bunch of ideas. We thought maybe some rewilding. But then Mr. Penny [teacher] and Julia [fellow student] were wondering how can we incorporate the community and a social element?”

Then, students will learn harvest and preserve the fruit, connecting with Mennonite traditions of canning and food sharing. They plan to donate some of the produce to local food banks, addressing food insecurity while caring for the earth.

Mr. Penny, the teacher leading the Youth Leading Change initiative at Rockway, said he was initially hesitant about the orchard idea. “I said to them, ‘you’ll graduate before these trees bear fruit.” But he saw the wisdom of planning (and planting) for the long term.

Ken Ogasawara from MCC (far right) presents a cheque for $800 to students at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate to kick-start what is turning into a school-wide, multi-year climate action project.

The idea that stuck was an orchard.

“Mr. Pauls, our enviro-social teacher, first suggested the orchard, I think,” said Julia Abicht, a student who has taken a lead role in organizing the initiative. “We realized how an orchard would really diversify the benefits… It’s not just impacting the environment, but also our community at Rockway and the surrounding community, too.”

The fruit isn’t the only benefit of this project.

“We’ve also had conversations about turning it into more of a student space as well,” says Gem Morlock another Grade 11 student. “Students or people from the community can go somewhere and be surrounded by Nature and have a space to relax or learn.”

Rockway’s project is part of MCC’s “Youth Leading Change: Community Peacebuilding Certificate,” where students are encouraged to learn, act and transform their communities through peacebuilding. They are aiming to break ground on the orchard this spring! For information, write to communications@mcco.ca