Embracing the Unexpected

As a wife, mother, and grandmother of two, family is incredibly important to Carine Strong. She is close to her mother, who remains in Eeklo, Belgium, where Carine emigrated four decades ago. As a newcomer, it was a tough move, one she now realizes would have been easier if she "had been able to access newcomer services like those Caledon Community Services (CCS) offers today." Her look back comes after a decade of involvement with CCS – as a passionate volunteer, a Board Member, and a Board Chair.

Carine spent 30 years with Husky Technologies, but on Saturdays, she could be found volunteering at Chez Thrift, CCS' fundraising store now known as Evolve Caledon. Volunteering became a lifeline when she was unexpectedly downsized from her role as Director of Customer Relations. When she made a commitment to volunteer full-time for six months, her husband Bob asked incredulously, "why are you working such long hours when you're not even getting paid?" Her reason was simple – she'd found her purpose.

Fueled by her growing passion, she volunteered as Acting Manager, using her expertise to lead the store through major changes that turned sales around. Some of her favourite memories are of running silent auction fundraisers and contributing to somebody's special day with a deal they normally would not be able to afford. Many high school volunteers blossomed into adults under her management and maintaining those connections, "becomes part of your volunteer history" she enthuses.