Volunteerism Helps Canadians Realize Their Potential

Whether it's sorting through canned goods at a foodhelp fill the gap of time she once spent with her
bank, devoting a weekend to help build a house withmother. Her search led her to the Victorian Order of
Habitat For Humanity, or giving tours at a local historicalNurses (VON) Hospice, and since 2006 she has
site, most people decide to volunteer in order to helpdevoted a considerable amount of time caring for the
make an impact on another person's life.people who reside there, including an extended period
But according to a survey recently conducted byin which she took a sabbatical from her day job in
American Express Canada, a growing number oforder to spend more time volunteering. Her volunteer
Canadians are choosing to engage in activities such asactivities at the hospice include providing emotional
volunteerism and charity work in order to enrich andsupport, respite and care to individuals living with
enhance their own lives. This group—which consistsprogressive life-threatening illnesses.
of more than a quarter of Canadians—are"I find it to be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience
considered "potentialsts" and defined as people whoto be part of the lives of some amazing people who
choose to take less traditional paths in order to realizelive with terminal illnesses," she said. "It makes me
their own potential.realize how precious life is and how little time we have
One Canadian who has found her own path to realizeto live, laugh, and love."
her potential through volunteerism is Margaret Bedi.According to David Barnes, VP Communications at
Bedi, an American Express employee for nearly 35American Express, Bedi's passion and dedication to
years, has served as a volunteer her entire life. But ither volunteer work is in line with the results of the
wasn't until the death of her mother that she found hersurvey—people simply want to do more with their
true calling.lives.
Overcome with grief, Bedi searched for an activity to