Volunteer Profile: Phyllis Wiscombe

This week’s feature volunteer is Phyllis Wiscombe, whose experience with the Red Cross in Manitoba and Newfoundland spans more than three decades.

An experienced volunteer in leadership and training, Phyllis Wiscombe is a lead on the Gimli Personal Disaster Assistance team, a supervisor with Disaster Management and a training coordinator for Learning and Development nationally.

In recognition of her many years of leadership and service, Phyllis was appointed a Member of the prestigious Order of the Red Cross in 2015.

“I have always felt proud to be a Red Cross volunteer because Red Cross stands for what I believe in,” said Phyllis. “When I see people in need, I have this strong desire to help them. I love it when I can go to a response because then I can actually see the results of what we do. Seeing Red Cross featured on the news, all over the world, doing the same work makes me feel proud to say I volunteer with the Red Cross.”

When not occupied with her Red Cross work Phyllis, a retiree, raises her voice as a choir member for her local church, helps raise funds with the Camp Morton Ladies Aid, and stays fit with Aquasize and regular gym workouts.

Although uneasy with the term hero, Phyllis acknowledges the deep connection of Red Cross volunteers worldwide, all of whom share a deep desire to care for others and help those in need.

Phyllis particularly recommends Red Cross volunteering as a tremendous way to learn new skills and strengthen self esteem.

“For young people, if they only realized how much experience and knowledge they can get by being a Red Cross volunteer, they would be lining up to join us.”

Line up to become a local hero like Phyllis, who devotes her time and energy to help those in need at times of crisis. Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer at www.redcross.ca/HeroesWantedMB, email vrs@redcross.ca or call 204-982-7330 for more details.