Jo volunteers because “there are needs out there!”
Volunteers are a vital part of any community. They are very much hidden gems, amazing people who give so effortlessly to enrich other people’s lives, who often aren’t too keen to shout it from the rooftops, and that’s the best part about this job. We get to find them, share their stories and show off just how amazing they are.
Jo Krats is one of those people. Jo is retired, [working one day a week at her job] and volunteers at the Cancer Council office each Friday, as well as volunteering as a ‘Transport to Treatment’ driver and volunteering at as a driver for the library as well.
Spending most of her time with the Cancer Council, Jo has been a Transport to Treatment driver for the last 2.5 years and was inspired to help out as she has had her own brush with cancer.
“This was something I could do to help other people who are dealing with cancer, to help with their recovery. “If you can get everybody who needs the treatment, to the treatment, you’re winning all the way around.”
Cancer Council Transport to Treatment drivers pick up and/or drop off patients in Orange and surrounding areas [within a 200km radius] for treatment, doctors’ appointments, pathology appointments etc.
Jo continued, “I think it is a really worthwhile thing to do, the people that we pick up and transport clearly need the service, they might be financially disadvantaged, socially disadvantaged, in the sense they have no vehicle or no one to drive them, whatever situation they are in, I think it’s a great way to help these people that need it. Plus, I enjoy driving, I quite like going out into the outlying country areas.”
“There have been some lovely people I have picked up, on my very first trip was a trip to Hill End, I picked up a lady who unfortunately didn’t have long to live, she was delightful, she was very open about it, and she chatted all the way to Orange, I don’t think I got two words in sideways but I didn’t mind she was so nice to listen to.”
“I’ve had so many nice experiences including travelling in a town I hadn’t been to before, I had pulled over to double check the next turn and not even a minute later some people coming the other way stopped and said ‘are you okay can we help you?’ and I thought that was just lovely.”
“It is such a great service and everyone we pick up is very grateful, one woman has wanted to pay us, [we don’t take any money, in any way shape or form], the only word I can use is gratitude, they are very grateful that the service exists. I think sometimes other people find it nice to talk to a total stranger who plays no part, they aren’t judgemental, they are just there. Plus, they have a captive audience, I’m not going anywhere, I’m driving.”
“I’ve been volunteering with the Library for almost 20 years now, I deliver books for people who are housebound, it’s also a great service. I cannot imagine not having access to a book,” Jo laughed, “That’s why I was too happy to volunteer, I am a huge reader.”
Its people like Jo that make the community a great and inspiring place to live. “I always believe that whatever community you are in you need to contribute to it, if you can. I think that I should be looking around the community and see what I can get involved with, that helps the community survive.”
“I manage to occupy my time beautifully,” Jo laughed, “I also Dragon Boat on Friday mornings, the Dragon boat community is great. I also bush walk each Saturday morning, all year round. I love getting out into nature. I go to book club and I love to meet friends for lunch.”
“People who have time on their hands, look around your community and see what you can get yourself involved in because there are needs out there for it.”