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
Volunteer Engagement Manager Introduction
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
My name is LiTunjia OIubusi, and I am the new Volunteer Engagement Manager for your MCC Thrift on Mill shop! My name is pronounced La-tawn-jew-uh, and I am excited to meet you all! I am responsible for coordinating, supporting and connecting volunteers with opportunities that match their interests and skill sets. At the time of publication, I will be in my second week, and I am excited to work with you and get to know you all! I am finding my footing around the shop, and you all are super helpful.
Volunteer Encouragement
Spring is finally here, and what a blessing it is to witness creation come alive again! The flowers stretch toward the sun, the birds lift their voices in song and we are reminded of the promise of renewal in every budding branch. As volunteers, you have a beautiful opportunity to mirror this season of new beginnings by sowing seeds of kindness and hope in our community. Whether you are offering customers a helping hand, ensuring the receiving doors are clear or sorting donations, every act of service reflects grace in motion. Let us welcome this season with open hearts and eager hands, ready to be vessels of light and joy wherever we go!
BIRTHDAYS May
This spring let us be like daffodils—unafraid to bloom boldly and enjoy the warmth of LOVE. Spring season is not just for planting flowers but for planting hope, encouragement and compassion in our neighbours. No gesture is too small when done with a pure heart. You are a gift to MCC, and we appreciate your willingness to serve your local and international neighbours.
“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.” — Jane Austen
May you find those peaceful, joy-filled moments this season, and may your heart be refreshed by the season of renewal and hope.
Shirley Driedger
Erma Janzen
Adison Theissen
Teresa Manning
Alfred Driedger
Tracy Sharron 5/5 5/10 5/11 5/16 5/17 5/19
Volunteer Spotlight
We are thrilled to celebrate the contributions of Marlene Regeher! Her energy and infectious enthusiasm have brought so much joy and positivity to TOM. She rallies her peers in housewares, spreads smiles and kindness and shares expert baking advice. Marlene is a true superstar. Thank you for being a part of MCC’s mission for the past 20 years.
Irma Tiessen
Susanna Harms
Harold Rempel
Edward Dubrowski
Trish Wales
Robert Ross
Kyle’s New Baby
TOM is happy to announce the safe arrival of Petranella Sara Bartsch. She was warmly welcomed by parents Kyle and Evon Bartsch. She is home and healthy, and we are grateful. Please keep the new parents and their sweet blessing in mind and in your prayers.
Around the Shop
Welcome!
Warmest of welcomes to our new volunteers: Barack Inthavong, Susan Tuck, Michael Segedin and Michaela Boese. Your excellent service and helpful hands are appreciated.
• On Call Volunteers: Cover shifts for ToM volunteers when they have sick calls, emergencies, etc.
• Christmas/Seasonal: Monday–Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening availability
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)
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.
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.
The fruit isn’t the only benefit of this 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.”
“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.
Survey Alert
Have you filled out the new volunteer survey? It’s available in the breakroom until May 3—and everyone who completes it gets a Steimar donut as a thank you!
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.
