VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERS, FROM HONG KONG AND VANCOUVER, DESIRE TO HELP RUNS DEEP

For the second year, Vancouver-based virtual volunteer Mohrea Halingten completed the layout and design of Macdonald Youth Services' (MYS) annual report. Hong Kong-based virtual volunteer Augustus Lo replicated Mohrea's original print design for MYS's Web site. But for both Graphic Designer Halingten and Computer Programmer Lo, the desire to help runs deep.

For the second year, Vancouver-based virtual volunteer Mohrea Halingten completed the layout and design of Macdonald Youth Services' (MYS) annual report. Hong Kong-based virtual volunteer Augustus Lo replicated Mohrea's original print design for MYS's Web site. But for both Graphic Designer Halingten and Computer Programmer Lo, the desire to help runs deep.

Mohrea Halingten and her husband, Garett, operate a storefront graphic design business in Vancouver. Although she likes the convenience of virtual volunteering, her desire to help has much more meaning:

"It [virtual volunteering] allows me to contribute my skills as a graphic designer on my own time and without restrictions of distance. Basically combining what I love to do with the desire to help kids less fortunate."

And although Hong Kong-based Computer Programmer Augustus Lo is separated by a 13-hour time zone distance, he sees the Internet as an opportunity-not a barrier-to help not just MYS, but the larger society:

"I want to contribute to the society, it is grateful to know that my effort is somehow beneficial to her. I believe all other virtual volunteers like me, see this time zone distance not an obstacle to help, but an obstacle to better serve our volunteer organization (MYS in my case)."

"Together with the on-site volunteers, I have no doubt that our little efforts are doing some big things in the society. '... which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? ... John 6:9 '"

To read MYS's 2001/02 Annual Report, please see the URL below:
http://www.mys.mb.ca/cgi/report2.pl

Macdonald Youth Services is a 73 year old trusted and respected Winnipeg-based treatment and support agency. Their nationally recognized virtual volunteer program, developed by Randy Tyler in 1998, has been profiled in numerous national news sources, from Maclean's to CTV's Canada AM and shared with many non-profit organizations through provincial and national conference presentations by Randy.

To learn further information about Macdonald Youth Services' leading-edge virtual volunteer program, please call (204) 949-4292.