Heide McClintock & Angela Houghton
“CHAS gives me a sense of purpose in my life, one that reaches beyond my family and into the world. I am very proud to be a CHAS member.”
“Originally, as with most things when you are a teenager, I was coerced into volunteering for events my mom was helping organize. At those events I saw the friendships, efficiencies and skills the women demonstrated and when CHAS Next was proposed, I had no hesitation joining. ”
Heide McClintock - I joined CHAS in 2002 – 19 years ago. Wow! You might think that doing anything for so long would get stale after a while. But that certainly has not been the case. This organization constantly keeps me amazed and interested. I have never been involved in anything, ever, where people are so ready and willing to perform any task that is asked. No begging or nagging required.
How I got involved? I was asked to a coffee party! One of the longtime CHAS members was hosting a coffee party to introduce potential new members to CHAS. We didn’t know each other well, but she knew I was new to the neighbourhood, that my kids were in school full time, and that perhaps I might be interested in joining. She was right on the mark! It was a time that I was looking for something fulfilling and challenging (that did NOT involve my children!), so despite being very intimidated by all these very accomplished women (what could I possibly offer them??), I decided to accept the challenge and apply for membership. And 19 years later, I have no intention of resigning anytime soon.
For me, CHAS means community. There is a real sense of connection with other like-minded individuals. When we are working together on a project, there is also that lovely sense of teamwork and of accomplishing larger goals. It also means connection to the larger community of all Calgarians. Through our work we meet so many people from all walks of life – from the wealthier Calgarians who are so generous with their donations, to those special people running the agencies and helping those in need, to the people who find themselves in difficult circumstances and require some assistance. I feel very privileged to have met so many extraordinary people in our city!
CHAS also means growth. In order to do what we do, we need to learn new skills, reach for some pretty impossible goals and stretch ourselves in every way to be better. We learn things, and learn about things, that we would not normally be introduced in our lives.
CHAS gives me a sense of purpose in my life, one that reaches beyond my family and into the world. I am very proud to be a CHAS member.
Angela Houghton - CHAS has had a great impact on my mom. My mom learned a lot of new skills and her confidence (which wasn’t lacking to start) increased significantly. At the beginning of her journey with CHAS, I was too young to appreciate the changes it brought to her life, but as I got older, it was amazing to watch her develop into an extraordinary leader.
Volunteering with CHAS - Originally, as with most things when you are a teenager, I was coerced into volunteering for events my mom was helping organize. At those events I saw the friendships, efficiencies and skills the women demonstrated and when CHAS Next was proposed, I had no hesitation joining. The diligence with which charities are chosen and the fact that all members are unpaid is also extremely compelling.
CHAS Next organized many fundraisers. I enjoyed our fitness fundraisers. We reached out to neighborhood fitness studios of all sorts (boxing, rowing, aerobic, spin) and asked the owner/operator if they would donate their studio space and time. The buy-in we got from cold calls was amazing, and I joined and am still a member of some of those studios today. Everyone’s selflessness was astonishing!