Nearly ten years ago, three strangers – Renee Alexander, Catherine Aldred, and Virginia Debling – met while volunteering at Humber River Health (Humber), and have been inseparable ever since.  

The three retired women, known as “The Dream Team,” have volunteered at the Information Desk every Wednesday since Humber’s Wilson Hospital opened in 2015. 

Although they have different reasons for why they started volunteering at Humber, their immense gratitude for meeting one another is the same. “From the beginning, we’ve looked out for each other – not just when we’re [at Humber], but all the time,” explains Virginia, reminiscing on when they first met. “We have each other’s backs, and I feel very grateful for those two for doing that.” 

 

After instantly clicking with each other, it was not long before the three decided they needed a name for their new group. “I saw ‘Dream Team’ on an advertisement one day and thought, they’re not the dream team – we are,” explains Virginia. “I told the girls, they liked it, and here we are.” 

 

Besides their long-lasting friendship, the three attribute much of their motivation to volunteer at Humber to their outstanding management team. “Anything we need, our managers are there for us and could not be more helpful and supportive,” states Catherine. “One of the big reasons I would never leave is because of this management team.”  

 

With over 500 Volunteers across the organization, each plays an integral role in assisting Humber’s staff, physicians, patients, and visitors, creating a positive difference each day.  

 

“[Volunteering] takes a little effort,” explains Louisa Ceci, Humber’s Director of Volunteer Services, “but if you ask any of our Volunteers, they’ll tell you it’s worth it.” Plus, if you are lucky, you might form some forever friendships in the process.  

 

“I’ve told them they’re not going anywhere because, I mean, that’s just the way it is,” explains Renee.  

 

“We just can’t do it without each other,” says Catherine.  

 

“We are friends forever,” Virginia adds. 

 

Learn more about becoming a Volunteer at Humber River Health: https://www.hrh.ca/volunteer/