Behind the Scenes: Real Stories of Volunteer Engagement in the Community - Part 5

• February 23, 2026

  Posted by: Kamillah El-Giadaa

We're back with part five of our "Behind the Scenes" series, sharing stories of volunteer engagers in our community! From welcoming new volunteers to improving program efficiency, these stories highlight the essential role volunteer engagers play in strengthening our communities.

Meet Meead Babasani

Meead is a special Volunteer Coordinator because his journey began as a volunteer at Kildonan MCC Thrift Store. Like many newcomers to Canada, he was looking for opportunities to gain experience while building connections in his new community.

He volunteered in the sports department and quickly discovered how much he enjoyed the work. He was soon hired in the furniture department.

When a Volunteer Coordinator position opened nearly a year and a half ago, he applied immediately and the rest was history.

When you walk into the thrift store, it's clear that volunteers are at the heart of everything. Many wear their volunteer badges with pride, and Meead, when we were visiting, makes a point of greeting everyone, taking a moment to connect with each volunteer we pass.

Kamillah recently caught up with Meead at the thrift store to learn more about his journey and the impact of volunteer engagement in action.

What is Kildonan MCC Thrift Store?

Kildonan MCC Thrift Shop is more than a store, it's a community. For over 50 years, our volunteers have helped create a welcoming, dignified thrift experience where every donation and hour volunteered saves resources, reduces waste, and changes lives. Together, we support local organizations in Winnipeg and global projects through Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), bringing relief, development, and peace around the world.

What is your role at Kildonan MCC Thrift Store?

I am the Volunteer Coordinator at Kildonan MCC Thrift Shop. In my role, I manage and support a large and diverse group of volunteers. My responsibilities include recruiting and onboarding volunteers, scheduling, providing training and ongoing support, monitoring volunteer performance, and ensuring volunteers feel welcomed, valued, and engaged. I work closely with staff to match volunteers with roles that suit their skills and availability, while also aligning with the mission and values of the organization.

How has taking Volunteer Management Essentials workshop impacted the work you do at MCC thrift store?

The Volunteer Management Essentials workshop helped me take a more intentional and structured approach to volunteer engagement at Kildonan MCC Thrift Shop. What I really appreciated was how engaging the course was, everyone participated, shared experiences, and learning from other organizations' perspectives was incredibly valuable. I personally learned a lot from you guys, and Denise Bukowski our facilitator was amazing. She was like a bank of knowledge in volunteer management. Overall, the workshop strengthened my skills and gave me practical tools I use every day.

What do you love most about working with volunteers?

What I love most about working with volunteers is the people.

Volunteers come from different backgrounds, cultures, and life stages, and each person brings something unique. I really enjoy building relationships, supporting them, and seeing their confidence grow over time. Knowing that people choose to give their time and energy to support the mission of Kildonan MCC Thrift Shop is incredibly meaningful, and being part of a positive experience that makes them feel valued and connected is the most rewarding part of my work. There are always challenges but I don't see that like a work challenge its mostly like family internal challenge.

Thank you to Meead for sharing his experience and insights!

Check out our Training Calendar to see what Volunteer Management courses are available!

---

More in this series:

 

---

Read More Blog Entries