Bev Callsen and Joanne Kosolofski, volunteers at the Wellness Room.

Joan Janzen
of The Clarion

Joanne Kosolofski describes herself as the instigator in bringing the Wellness Room at the West Central Events Centre into existence.

She started working with Heartland Health and managed to have exercise therapists conduct a 12-week program. This was followed by several years of programs being held on the track before the Wellness Room became available and equipment was purchased through donations.

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Throughout this process, her good friend, Bev Callsen has been her trusted volunteer partner. Bev describes the Wellness Room as evolving. “We’re always looking for new programming for it, and have a good partnership with the town.”

“We’ve been volunteering together since we were in high school – like at the rink, the booth, Can Skate, figure skating,” Bev said. “We just chat all the time, so it doesn’t seem time consuming.”

“My grandparents, my parents, my family all volunteered. It’s just kind of what we do to help the community be a better place.”

Bev says she volunteers because it’s fun. “You get to meet people. I’ve volunteered in a lot of different capacities and you meet people you might not have met otherwise.”

Likewise, Joanne has enjoyed meeting and working with many wonderful people throughout the years, adding: “It’s so rewarding.” And she has worked with many people throughout the years as she helped with minor sports, the Baseball Canadian Cup and numerous fundraising campaigns.

For these two ladies, volunteering is an integral part of their friendship. “Lots of times it’s Joanne and I together. It’s part of our friendship. We’ve been on so many committees together. Some of the most fun times were working booth shifts. It’s such a part of our lives; it’s a good part.”

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