91大黄鸭鈥檚 Gospel Mission provides services to those who need it in the downtown core, but those services wouldn鈥檛 be possible without the help of volunteers.
George Pierce is one such volunteer, coming in every morning and night to wash dishes after breakfast and dinner have been served to residents experiencing homelessness.
Sonja Menyes, the gospel mission鈥檚 volunteer manager, said Pierce started volunteering his time out of the blue many years ago, for which they were grateful. She said he was consistent and came in every day to help out and talk to whoever came to the gospel mission.
Pierce was originally from Slave Lake, Alta., but moved to 91大黄鸭 in 1977 and worked various jobs, from landscaping and orchard work to hairdressing. He said he wanted to volunteer to teach himself a new perspective. But he鈥檚 been volunteering for so long he can鈥檛 quite remember when he started.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 recall, but I know I鈥檝e been here a long time,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 like working with the homeless because I was homeless myself in Vancouver, so I talk to the down and out people who are having a hard time, who are lost and lonely. I try to encourage them.鈥�
When he isn鈥檛 at 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Gospel Mission, he volunteers at the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society.
Menyes said George鈥檚 main driver is his desire to help.
鈥淗e鈥檚 lovely, and he wants to be there for others. We鈥檙e grateful to have him and others who give their time to the mission.鈥�
If you know someone who is giving back to the community, email us and let us know!
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