Dave Raven’s voice at the other end of the line is friendly and cheerful. His enthusiasm for the Red Cross comes through loud and clear and his volunteer passion is just a strong as it was when he first walked into the Red Cross office in Nanaimo over 20 years ago. “I started in 1991, loaning out equipment to people in need and I’ve pretty much done the same work ever since. It’s part of my routine.”
Born and raised in Salmon Arm, Dave has lived on Vancouver Island since 1960 where he enjoyed a successful 35-year career with the B.C. provincial government in both Victoria and Nanaimo; a career that saw him begin as a surveyor and encompass challenging roles such as serving as the regional approving officer and district technician. After retiring, Dave began searching for the right opportunity to apply his considerable talents. Volunteer Nanaimo referred him to the Red Cross and he took up the challenge of coordinating the medical equipment loan program three days per week – a considerable commitment.
Dave remarked with humour about those early days: “when I started out everything was done by hand, now it’s all done by computer. At that time we were located in a very small room with one large typewriter and an old card index.” Indeed, for the first few years Dave was the sole person in the office. “When I started out it was me; that was it. Eventually a few volunteers came out to help. But now there are two full-time technicians and two half-time staff who look after the delivery program, as well as occasional support workers, several volunteers, a summer student and others. We’ve got a good full team working hard every day.” His wife Nancy began volunteering with him soon afterward and they both continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder in the Nanaimo office. “Nancy deserves the recognition more than me” says Dave modestly, “she’s also a long-time volunteer and has helped the Red Cross in so many ways”.
Dave has many stories about his years with the loan program and the common thread that shines through when he speaks is his dedication to helping people: “I remember the time Nancy and I went up to Parksville, that’s quite a ways up and we got all the way back home and realized we left one piece sitting on the porch, so we drove right back to get it. That’s just the kind of things you do.” Dave credits the people he works with and the people he helps as his motivating factors: “you get the fellow who comes in with the broken leg, without much money at all, and he needs a crutch, and you tell him it’s by donation, and he empties his pocket and gives you everything he’s got to support the Red Cross. A lot of people don’t have much money, so the Red Cross work is so important to them, it’s their life line”.
Asked about his motivation for volunteering, Dave says modestly: “I like helping people, everyone is so grateful for the work we are doing. I’m just doing my part I guess.” His upbringing helped to forge the values that he holds dear: “I was brought up in a farm. My mother used to volunteer for the ladies auxiliary to the hospital. That always gave me the idea that it was good to volunteer, to help out in the community”.
Despite his long service with the loan program, Dave is constantly learning: “there’s a huge need for medical equipment and I just do my best to help out. Beyond that, the Red Cross does so much that many people don’t even know about and I’m still learning about the great things they do, internationally and in Canada. Things like family reunification and support for immigrants and refugees. They do so much to help people around the world”.
In this spare time, Dave is an active bridge player and has served on the executive of the Nanaimo Bridge Club. He also finds the time to help raise money for the Cancer Society.
Dave and Nancy have two daughters: Barb, a pharmacist in Campbell River and Patti, who works as a computer systems analyst in San Diego. This summer, Dave and Nancy are looking forward to attending a huge family reunion in Sorrento.
Asked about any advice he’d give to prospective Red Cross volunteers, he says: “you meet a lot of great people, you help people, and you can put in whatever time you like, even a half day makes a big difference and it’s really enjoyable.” He attributes his good fortune in life to a positive attitude:“keep happy, I’m a happy person, I have a good marriage. Treat your wife right and she’ll treat you right and everything goes on from there. If you’re happy in life you’ll pass it on to others”.
We are grateful for the significant contributions that Dave and Nancy have made to the Red Cross in Nanaimo and look forward to working with them for many years to come. Dave has no plans to step back from a role that has helped define him for over twenty years: “I’m just carrying on, as long as I can, as long as my health holds out. I enjoy it and people are so grateful for the help that we can provide.”
