Who are our volunteers?
Dunnville Health Centre Volunteer Association (DHCVA) volunteers who wear “navy blue vests’’ can been seen throughout Haldimand War Memorial Hospital (HWMH) and Edgewater Gardens comforting patients and residents, aiding medical staff. The dedication and commitment of our “navy blue vests” is amazing. They work as a team in raising funds that are donated to both campuses. DHCVA is very proud of them.
President Message – April 2026
I have given this a great deal of thought—considering what I might share that reflects both my personal journey and my belief in the value of volunteering—and this is what I have come to realize. I have never been one to believe strongly in coincidence. When we reflect on our lives and where we find ourselves today, it is remarkable to consider the path we have followed to get here. Along that path, we meet many people—often at just the right time—and I believe those encounters happen for a reason.
Throughout my life, I have experienced moments that felt purposeful in ways I could not easily explain. One such time was in 1991, following the loss of my mother. I struggled deeply with grief and unanswered questions. During that period, a chance conversation with a stranger offered me comfort and reassurance. That interaction helped me through a difficult time, and I believe that person crossed my path when I needed it most.
Years later, in early 2018, after retiring, I found myself wanting to stay active and contribute a few days a week. After unsuccessfully applying for several jobs, I wondered whether the hospital might need volunteers. I spoke with the CEO at the time, who confirmed that volunteers were most certainly always needed. That same year, I began volunteering in the Recreation Department. Looking back, I truly believe I was not meant to find another job—I was meant to volunteer.
In 2019, while volunteering at Edgewater, I had been searching for a Corvette to purchase but instead found myself buying a 1931 Chevrolet. That vintage car brought unexpected joy, particularly when I was able to take residents out for birthday drives—an experience many of them truly treasured. Once again, the path turned out differently than expected, but exactly as it should have.
If you take time to reflect, you may recognize similar moments in your own life. I am very happy with where my path has led me. I believe our Volunteer Association is a remarkable organization, and each and every one of you plays an important role in the outstanding work we do for Haldimand War Memorial Hospital & Edgewater Gardens. Thank you all for your dedication and compassion. A motto I live by: As a volunteer, I treat all people with dignity and respect and provide the quality of service that I would expect to receive.
Daryl Stevens
(DHCVA President)
