Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

A whimsical tale of volunteering by Terry Baker, member of The NetLetter team.

In NetLetter #1500, in his column "Wayne’s Wings", Wayne told us about his volunteering efforts.

This prompted me to tell of my volunteering, which goes way back, to 1954, together with Jack Morath, social games for the Douglas mechanics repairing the DC-8 of the 'Cabbage Patch' fame, including a memorable evening on the river Thames.

Social events for my Purchasing & Supply co-workers, horseback riding, ten pin bowling, golf. There was no ACRA formed at LHR during that time.

When I transferred to Montreal, I was secretary/treasurer for the housing development I lived in, fighting the builder, CMHC and city for better completion of homes. A winter carnival involving professional husky race teams, and the building of a swimming pool, which enlisted twisting resident's arms to sign a promissory note for $200.00.

I volunteered to referee the P & F pick-up hockey games, usually at midnight, also weekend canoe trips, BBQ's.

While on secondment to Antigua, I volunteered to make arrangements for social events for the UK mechanics doing the spar change to HS748 aircraft of LIAT, the local commuter airline.

In recent years, I volunteer in a senior’s independent complex, where I now reside, called 'Berwick on the Lake' in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

I live in an ordinary suite on the top floor of a four story building. I call my suite a penthouse. To those who know better, after all most penthouses are on the top floor, and mine overlooks a park - albeit the car park.

For my exercise, each day, I walk the hallways on all four flours, a total of four times, which equates to 3.12 miles approximately. During the early walk I drop off the daily newspaper at the door of those residents who have ordered one, making me Nanaimo's oldest paper boy - unpaid I might add.

I also monitor the "Tuck Shop" which has most of the necessities of life, such as toilet paper, Kleenex, chocolate bars, for those physically challenged and don't get to the local stores.

I also monitor the library, labelling the spine of the books with the first alpha of the author, shelving returned books, tidying up the books, relocating misfiled books. Although it is a library, it is surprising how many residents who use the library do not know their alphabet nor the difference between a hard cover and paperback which are separately shelved.

I have volunteered for many years and enjoyed it and get great satisfaction in helping others. What goes around comes around is my philosophy.