Someone once said, “People are like crayons. It doesn’t matter what colour they are; it’s the picture they make.”
If we consider the KMFRC the big picture, our volunteers are some of the vibrant colours that create it. This month’s volunteer asks, “You know those multi-coloured crayons that have every colour of the rainbow? That’s totally me, because I am loud, quirky, outgoing, wild and very hard not to notice!” Ed.: She forgot to mention her big heart! She wears crazy leggings, has a Mohawk, loves frogs and photography, and is known for her contagious laugh.
I’d like to introduce you to Krista Grenda.
Krista was born in Belleville Ontario, and raised here in Kingston. She and her husband of 13 years, Adam, have experienced two postings and created a full house, including three daughters (CJ, Abigail and Chloe) and three fur babies (Gypsy the dog, Trooper the cat with no tail, and Odin the cat with a missing eye). She says, “All of our animals are rescues. I have a soft spot for misfits.”
Krista is a regular Volunteer Facilitator at Coffee Connections and Creative Tuesdays, and a strong advocate for KMFRC programming and services. Krista says, “The reason I started volunteering at the KMFRC is because, when I got to Kingston and first set foot into the KMFRC for Coffee Connections, I felt so welcomed. I wanted to bring that feeling to everyone else. The KMFRC is like a second home. Their love and support have helped me, my children and my spouse thrive so much with all the services they have to offer. Some of my closest and dearest friends were made at the KMFRC. If I hadn’t stepped foot in the KMFRC, I would never have known all they had to offer from casual care to special needs groups, deployment support, etc…”
When you volunteer at the KMFRC, you take away some amazing memories of working with community members. When asked about her favourite volunteer memory, Krista was quick to answer. “I would have to say that was when I facilitated an evening Paint Night workshop and 20 people attended. It was a huge turnout, with many new faces, which is so exciting. There is no worse feeling then being posted into a new city where you know no one.”
Just for fun, I asked Krista which three things she would want on a deserted island if she was ship wrecked. She was very pragmatic, responding, “A radio, a lighter for fire and some fishing gear.” You can’t take military practicality away, even from the most fun-loving spouse!
If you are interested in becoming a KMFRC volunteer, please visit http://kmfrc.com/volunteer or contact our Volunteer Services Worker, Heather Kotelniski at 613-541-5010 x5195 – she would be happy to discuss our current volunteer opportunities!