Eston resident enjoys volunteering!
By Joan Janzen
“Everyone needs volunteers!” The words were spoken by Eston resident Loreen Buskell, an avid volunteer and full-time employee at Eston Sheet Metal.
Before moving to Eston, she began her volunteer exploits by soliciting door-to-door for various charities in the city. After moving to Eston, she said she joined Communities In Bloom (CIB) so she could meet people in town.
“I absolutely love it; it’s awesome,” she said. “We take turns watering with the town water truck, watering the baskets, containers and beds. Some members are out there at 7 a.m., weeding, spraying and planting. We are the longest-running CIB committee and have won almost every year for our population size in Saskatchewan.”
L-R: Loreen Buskell and Ellen Owens wear smiles while planting self watering planters in Eston for Communities In Bloom.
But there’s more; Loreen continued to help out with other projects. “Once your name is out there, you’ve got everybody phoning you,” she explained. Having her name out there led to her next volunteer commitment.
“I ran the Bazaar Bazaar,” she said. “It always landed on my birthday, but I got to meet people from all over.” One year the bazaar had 35 vendors. She began planning at the beginning of August, and by the time the project was over, she estimated she had put in 65 volunteer hours.
The work included decorating, planning, coordinating volunteers, take down, set up and more. “We had so many vendors I’d open from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. the night before, then was back at 6:00 in the morning, and was there all day until clean up was done after everyone left. After that, I’d do the paperwork and a report.”
Loreen went on to talk about her favourite volunteer involvement, the Eston River Trek. “I was on the committee for about seven years, and all the money went to help run the complex. We had a great committee.”
After working all day, Loreen and other committee members would check on participants who were exhausted and would keep them going by walking with them to the finish. “That was the most fulfilling part. I still cry about it,” she said as she recalled how rewarding the experience was.
This spring Loreen said she was so busy she was only able to help CIB a couple of times. About five years ago, she joined the Legion because her dad was a veteran. “We do suppers, fundraising, and we built a ramp this past summer to make the Legion wheelchair accessible,” she explained. “We’re all getting older. A lot of people sign up but don’t necessarily help with the work. I’m one of the youngest members, and a lot of the older ones can’t do the work anymore,” she said.
According to Loreen, volunteering is worthwhile. “The rewarding part is seeing the results. Look at the gazebo at Jubilee Lodge; it’s just gorgeous! It was all done by volunteers, and it helps to make the residents happy,” Loreen said.
When Loreen isn’t at work or busy volunteering, she’s tending to one of her gardens. Yes, she has three gardens! “I’ve always been so lucky with my garden,” she said. But the luck may be attributed to her tender loving care. Those gardens produce more than she and her family can use, so they’re able to share with others who may not have a garden of their own.
Loreen encourages people to volunteer by doing something they love, whether it’s coaching, fundraising, gardening with CIB or helping the Legion. After all, she said, “All that’s required is your time.”