91原创鈥檚 Seniors of the Year met for the first time during a May 30 newspaper interview.
But when it comes to volunteerism in the community that they call home, Albert Langla and Sandra Reams are kindred spirits.
On Thursday (June 1), the 91原创 Senior Resources Society (LSRS) will honour Langla and Reams in a ceremony at the 91原创 Seniors Recreation & Resource Centre, 20605 51B Ave.
The 10:30 a.m. presentation will pay tribute to the two long-time senior residents, volunteers, and community supporters within 91原创.
Both Langla, 86, and Reams, 77, have lived in 91原创 for 20 years and over those two decades they鈥檝e filled their days with countless hours of volunteer work.
Jack-of-all-trades
In his time working for the City of North Vancouver, Langla quickly learned how to be versatile, a skill he has applied in his golden years.
Langla modestly says he does 鈥済ardening鈥� at the 91原创 seniors centre but he does much more than that 鈥� he also volunteers with the centre鈥檚 garage sale, Shred-for-Seniors fundraiser, and is one of the go-to helpers with cleaning up after special events.
鈥淎nd sometimes I pick up a broom and sweep the parking lot and keep that clean,鈥� he said. 鈥淥h, and I vacuum the carpet in the front once in a while, if it needs doing. I鈥檒l help people with their walkers if they need help to get them out of their cars.鈥�
Langla spends four days a week at the centre, helping out one, sometimes two hours each visit.
He admits he鈥檚 鈥渘ot a gardener鈥� but is quick to point out 鈥渋t鈥檚 therapy for me.鈥�
鈥淚 find it very difficult to sit at home and look at four walls,鈥� Langla said. 鈥淚 like to be out among people; I enjoy people; I like helping people. I live in a complex and I鈥檓 on the (strata) council, there, and I help a lot of people in there, too.鈥�
Gogos and LEPS
Reams says she has 鈥渁 very lovely arrangement鈥� with Michaud Heritage House. She鈥檚 been the longtime gardener/caretaker of the 129-year-old heritage house, that is owned by the City of 91原创 and managed and maintained by the 91原创 Heritage Society.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a job in a sense that I鈥檓 compensated by low rent, but I volunteer in a sense that I kind of take it on, making it like a home and available to the public with a lovely garden. I kind of step up and do more than what the minimum requirement will be.鈥�
Reams enjoys not only her time at Michaud Heritage House, but she鈥檚 also a member of the 91原创 Gogos, who support millions of grandmothers in Africa who are caring for a generation of orphans from AIDS. Many of these grandmothers are also suffering from HIV themselves, and are mourning the loss of their own adult children.
鈥淔un name but serious intent,鈥� Reams explained. 鈥淕ogos is a term of respect in the Zulu. It鈥檚 under the Stephen Lewis Foundation so it鈥檚 all very legit and the funds go directly to projects that support the grandmothers.鈥�
The local chapter does fundraising through its Spring Rant, where people get a chance to 鈥渞ant鈥�, while also enjoying drinks, appetizers, and conversation.
Reams has also been closely involved with the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS).
鈥淚 was a canning mentor, helping out with canning workshops, and in the last couple of years (I鈥檝e been part of) the gleaning program,鈥� Reams said.
The program she鈥檚 referring to aims to collect and redistribute fruit found on local backyard trees that otherwise goes unused.
鈥淭he owners can keep some if they want 鈥� oftentimes they don鈥檛 because that鈥檚 why they phone,鈥� Reams said. 鈥淭he volunteers get some but at least a third is donated to food banks.鈥�
Reams is proud to say volunteers picked 11,000 pounds of fruit last summer.
As a whole, Reams believes strongly in the benefits of volunteering, in every facet in her life.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been a 鈥榙o-it鈥� person,鈥� Reams said. 鈥淎nd I heard this saying years ago and I thought that was so true: 鈥� You鈥檙e only old until your regrets replace your dreams.鈥� And I thought, 鈥榯hat makes sense to me.鈥欌��
Big surprise
It should come as no surprise that Langla and Reams were equally surprised to find out that they鈥檝e been named Seniors of the Year.
鈥淚 was shocked,鈥� Langla said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know why they ever did pick me. It just shocked me. I can鈥檛 believe it.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檝e Gotta Have Friends nominated me,鈥� Reams offered. 鈥淭hey did a little write-up and one of the ladies on the committee came over to tell me (I was selected).鈥�
That day, Reams just had a tooth pulled, so the news helped ease the pain she was feeling 鈥� at least somewhat.
鈥淪o I think this will be a fun year,鈥� Reams said.
