You’re also more than likely to see volunteer Ruth Stinson lending a hand wherever it’s needed.

The Milton Seniors’ Activity Centre is special to her, with its good people and the way it always seems to bustle with excitement. So the actual volunteering she does there doesn’t really seem like work, Stinson said.

But that makes her no less deserving of recognition, and the fact she enjoys what she does is no doubt why she’s been able to give wholeheartedly.

Stinson, 79, has been named Senior of the Year for 2008, an honour she doesn’t take lightly.

Honoured by award

“I was shocked,” she said of hearing she’d been chosen for the award. “I’ve done a lot of volunteer work over the years and it’s not something I feel needs to be rewarded… but everyone likes to be thanked, there’s no question.”

While some people grow up with the example of volunteering parents and then follow suit, Stinson said her parents worked hard and didn’t have much free time to volunteer. It’s something she started doing on her own.

“Volunteering is in some people’s blood,” Stinson said simply.

When her three daughters entered their teen years, Stinson said she found herself needing something to do. So she joined the board of the Milton District Hospital Auxiliary, and then the hospital board in the early ’70s.

Working at the Milton Public Library took care of her time for the next few years, but she didn’t get to see her husband much because of his irregular hours as a pilot, so she left. Once again, she found herself with time on her hands.

“I don’t like to be idle, that’s the thing,” she said from her living room.

At that point, she didn’t know much about the Milton Seniors’ Activity Centre. But that changed when she joined the centre’s choir, the Song Spinners Chorus, under the direction of Joyce Hayward about a dozen years ago.

Major contribution

With so many ongoing programs, the centre was looking for volunteers, and Stinson stepped up to the plate.

In 1999, she joined the centre’s Advisory Board, which she served on for the next seven years. She was president for two years, and then past-president.

She served on the constitution and standards committee and helped revise the centre’s written constitution.

“It’s very important to have those things in place if you want a well-run facility,” she said.

It was very satisfying, she said, and besides, “Nobody else wanted the job.”

The long-time Milton resident continues to help out in various ways at the centre, and is still a member of the Song Spinners as well as serving as its music librarian.

“Ruth’s dedication to the centre is respected and admired by all,” states a staff report received by town council.

While the centre has about 700 members, Stinson said some seniors avoid it due to a misconception — and that’s something she’d like to change.

“They think it’s a place just for old people who have nothing to do and where they can sit around and drink tea.”

That, obviously, isn’t the case, Stinson said, adding she encourages anyone over the age of 55 to check it out for themselves.

Through all her hard work, Stinson said her family — her husband, Don, and three daughters — has been very supportive.

“They even come out to our concerts, which sometimes I wish they didn’t,” she said with a smile. “I’m always afraid of disappointing them.”

That doesn’t seem likely.

Her husband of 53 years said Ruth is as dedicated as they come.

“I think it’s richly deserved,” Don said. “She’s put in a lot of time not with any thought of gaining any acclaim for it.”

When it comes to volunteering, Ruth said it’s important to find the right “fit.” If you enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll be able to persevere and it won’t become a chore.

It also keeps you young at heart, she said.

Not surprisingly, she doesn’t see herself slowing down anytime soon.

“I don’t think there’s any reason to slow down.”

Spoken like a true volunteer.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com .