2 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Good-work warrior
Carina Blumgrund lives and breathes philanthropy every single day. Fully immersed in countless community walks, charitable projects, causes and grassroots initiatives helping people, groups and organizations (literally pages long), she was presented with the Mayor's Volunteer Service Award for Winnipeg last year.
But she's more than a volunteer. She's helping the helpers, building community connections and inspiring everyone she meets along the way, all while working full time and dealing with physical challenges.
Whether she is giving people rides, raising awareness and promoting organizations and groups, bringing surplus food and water to encampments, picking up or dropping off in-kind donations, or organizing kits and supplies for distribution to the city's most vulnerable, Blumgrund says all of it makes her happy.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Carina Blumgrund (right) with frequent Main Street Community Walk partner Cindy Singer.
'Values of giving back to the world and respect for others came through my upbringing and belief in social justice,' she said.
'Look at what's possible to be done, the purpose and understanding that I can make a difference, the sense of satisfaction. My life is a good life right now,' she said, noting that she sees helping as healing.
The mother of two and grandmother of two more considers herself fortunate, and is known as a person who will always use her uplifting voice to help wherever and whenever she can.
Community outreach worker Mitch Bourbonniere has been a mentor to some of the city's most vulnerable over many years. He's seen the profound needs, hardships and struggles on the streets of Winnipeg, so when he sees kindness in action he takes note.
'Carina melded into our Main Street Community Walk four years ago and it's like we've known her for 30 years,' he said.
'She quickly became a fixture at our walks, taking on all kinds of responsibilities, including purchasing the products we needed for the street and — with her partner-in-crime, Cindy (Singer) — evolving a whole hygiene and feminine hygiene aspect to what we offer our relatives.
'She has become integral in the running of our beautiful walk community. She is sweet and kind and helpful and we all love her so much.
'We appreciate what she gives us in time, energy and spirit. She is one of our angels on earth.'
With a focus on engagement, participation, inclusion and community building at the heart of who she is, Blumgrund is passionate about community work, meeting new people, and supporting individuals and groups to pursue their full potential.
'There is a need for this to be done,' Blumgrund said, emphasizing that it's about bringing kindness and humanity where it is much needed.
Working in the inner city has opened up her world and given her opportunities to understand people where they are: 'There's a sense of purpose, making a little difference in their lives but also in mine. The learning that comes from it.'
As a result of an accident in her teenage years, both walking and standing for any length of time can be painful for Blumgrund.
'People look at me as if I'm wheelchair-bound, but I'm wheelchair-liberated,' she said with a laugh. 'The walker has become a way to do things. It's allowed me to be out and about.'
Her determination to contribute began about 10 years ago when she discovered Resource Assistance for Youth (RAY), and started gathering food donations to feed homeless kids.
'I enjoy finding creative ways of filling the gaps,' Blumgrund said.
She started putting together fleece throws so that kids could them carry in their backpacks. For several years, she organized fundraisers for the blankets for RAY. When the pandemic came, different needs started to emerge and Blumgrund was there to help.
'Nobody was welcoming people indoors. The system was placing people into empty apartments: no towel, no spoon, just a shower, a stove. People were sleeping on jackets, saying, 'I don't have a can opener,'' she explained.
'I started asking anybody and their mother, 'Do you have anything?'' she added, noting that her one-bedroom apartment became a warehouse.
With a degree in psychology, and a background in cross-cultural communication, language teaching and employment counseling, Blumgrund loves to see people giving what they can, with compassion.
'If you think of yourself as a good person, try to connect with the suffering of others and see at what level you can relate. Talk to the people — that may wake up something in you.'
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Longtime friend Cindy Singer is inspired by Blumgrund's energy and her ability to get people involved.
'Every fall, Carina runs a glove drive to raise funds to purchase gloves for our relatives on the streets. These gloves are donated to at least five charities that work with those in need. She volunteers at least weekly with Leftovers Foundation, a food rescue group. She picks up, delivers, raises awareness of them. On Tuesday mornings she volunteers with a group of us that operate out of Main Street. They give out food, clothing and toiletries,' Singer said, adding that Blumgrund has introduced her to some of the most caring people working, helping and living in Winnipeg.
'On Canada Day, Carina was set up at the Forks with her walker and a case of water to give out to anyone needing it. On Father's Day, there was a walk in honour of missing men in our lives. Carina was there with her walker and a cooler full of Freezies. I was at an event and we had leftover food and drinks. I called Carina. Within a few minutes she was there to pick up the food and deliver it to Red Road Lodge.
'If you meet Carina, you won't forget her. She just cares and it's obvious from the second you meet her.'
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