Terry Atkinson retired on April Fool’s Day three years ago.
“I thought it was appropriate,” he says with a laugh.
Being retired means there’s more time to play golf, which he does regularly, and to volunteer. But volunteering isn’t a new activity for him.
Atkinson became involved with the Kidney Foundation of Canada 31 years ago. He started as a volunteer canvasser and says he got involved not just because it was a great cause but because it was a good way to meet some more neighbours.
“It was a win-win thing,” he says.
Since then, Atkinson has continued to volunteer with the group and is now a zone leader. He recently helped with their fundraising in March. Although he didn’t start out with a personal connection to the cause, Atkinson has one now. About six years ago, the son of a close friend was diagnosed with severe kidney disease.
“And I saw just how nasty a thing it is,” says Atkinson.
Three years ago the young man’s condition worsened and he had to go to the hospital for dialysis three times a week for hours each time.
Atkinson says it turned the young man’s life upside down. “Emotionally and physically it was a very difficult thing.”
About three weeks ago, he had a kidney transplant and so far is doing well.
“It just reinforced the knowledge, the belief I had, that this kidney thing is a very important cause,” says Atkinson, who has also volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
When he started volunteering with the cancer society his grandmother had just passed away from cancer and his mother was terminally ill with it. But Atkinson says you don’t have to have a personal connection to a cause to want to help out, and there are so many volunteer options these days, there’s something for everyone.
“People can volunteer in different ways, it doesn’t necessarily mean knocking on doors,” he notes. “If somebody wants to volunteer you can always find a cause that’s close to your heart.”
He recommends doing a bit of research about an organization before volunteering with it to ensure it is legitimate and a good fit. Organizations benefit in many ways from volunteers, especially by saving money, but Atkinson says volunteers also benefit by meeting people and gaining a sense of satisfaction.
“We take a lot from the community and our society and I think it’s important to give things back in a small way,” he says.
This story originally appeared in the North Shore News Volunteer special section for Volunteer Week.
