Volunteers bring hope to The Charlottetown Friendship Room

The Charlottetown Friendship Room is a weekday morning community drop-in centre, which serves between 100 and 200 people a day. There are currently four volunteers assisting each week.

Evelyn Maclure and Ramize Rexhepi are two women who volunteer each week serving tea, coffee and donuts to bring hope to some of Charlottetown’s most vulnerable people.

Evelyn’s first encounter with The Salvation Army was a job opportunity at the Sunset Lodge Senior’s Home in Charlottetown. This connection brought her to The Charlottetown Community Church, which she has been a part of for 45 years.

She has volunteered with The Friendship Room since it began seven years ago and finds it very rewarding. Evelyn says, “I enjoy volunteering, it not only gives me something to do, but it makes me feel good.” She recognizes that many people are in need in Charlottetown, but by pouring a fresh cup of coffee and offering a snack she knows she brings joy to others.

Ramize is a young woman who moved to Canada in 2006 from Kosovo, having lived through the hardships of war, which ravaged her country. She first learned about The Salvation Army from a friend and became involved with The Friendship Room in 2014.

 A single mom with three children in school, Ramize says, "The time I spend volunteering at The Salvation Army is a reward from God.” Ramize continues, “I believe that volunteering is important because it is a way to help and give back to the community.”

The Friendship Room, like many other Salvation Army programs, rely on the generous support and efforts of faithful volunteers. We are grateful for all of our volunteers, like Evelyn and Ramize, who think of others and make time in their schedule to give hope today with The Salvation Army.

Thank you to Tim Hortons for their generous donation of donuts to The Friendship Room. If you would like more information about The Salvation Army in Charlottetown, or to discuss volunteering, please call: 902.892.2281.