April 17, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Veronique on #NationalVolunteerWeek

As Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Jim Pattison once said:

“Giving is a very important part of our life. All of us can give something.”

With Saskatchewan’s first dedicated maternal and children’s hospital poised to open late next year, volunteers like Veronique Loewen will soon see how much their hard work has paid off. Veronique, who has been volunteering for several years, has helped raise hundreds of thousands for Saskatchewan kids and families.

“For me, volunteering with Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation is part of my contribution to the future of our province,” says Loewen. “One of the most exciting times is to actually see the hospital being built after so many years talking about it and raising funds for it. I can’t wait for the grand opening!”

Now serving her third year as Co-Chair on the Jeans & Jewels Gala committee, Loewen credits the hardworking and enthusiastic volunteers she works with for their fundraising success. Impressed by their dedication and selflessness, she is amazed to see how deeply invested people are in the cause.

“When people are able to understand the needs and see how things benefit others, they give generously of their time and money,” explains Loewen. “Supporting our health and wellness infrastructure is helping our children be healthy, which ultimately is an investment in the future well-being of our communities as the children are our future.”

Loewen, originally from France and the French island of Martinique, immigrated to Saskatoon 25 years ago. She runs her own translation and communication company, Verolingo Communications, while also managing communications and community investment for Orano Canada. Having raised her sons in Saskatchewan, Loewen fell in love with the province and strives to give back to the community that welcomed her and allowed her to grow professionally and personally. Loewen was a big part of Orano Canada’s donation of $500,000 in 2016 for a Family Room in the Maternal Care Centre. The gift will help bring a ‘home-away-from-home’ at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital for pregnant women and their families, located right outside their hospital room doors when they deliver their babies.

“Veronique has been a long-time friend both of mine and our provincial community. Her enthusiasm is infectious to all she works beside and she truly puts her heart and soul into any volunteer project or event that she undertakes, despite a very busy schedule,” says Brynn Boback-Lane, President and  CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Veronique’s love for children is evident and we are so grateful that she chooses to help raise awareness and funds for Saskatchewan’s  Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Her countless “behind the scenes” gifts of time and effort helps to ensure that we have positive impact on the delivery of provincial pediatric and maternal care in this province.”

Recognizing the value of volunteering, Loewen explains that it’s all about believing in the cause, being willing to contribute in any possible way, and sharing enthusiasm for the cause with others. It’s a simple way to raise awareness, spread understanding, and help raise the needed funds.

“I love meeting new people, rolling my sleeves up and joining forces with others, working as an eclectic team with a wide range of experiences, to deliver the best events we can, to raise as many funds as we can,” says Loewen. “You don’t have to be a professional fundraiser or have any previous experience in event management to volunteer. By volunteering, you get to feel good about what you do, about contributing to your community and helping the children of our province.”

Want to become a volunteer to help ensure kids and families get the care they need? Visit our Volunteer page or fill out an Application Form to get started!