Peggy has witnessed firsthand the impact of volunteering on the lives of seniors in the community.

Peggy Hallward: A Life of Giving Back

After a rewarding career with Environment Canada, Peggy Hallward embraced retirement with the same energy she brought to her work. Every morning, before her children stirred, she would knit and then head out for a long walk—routines that remain part of her daily life today.

Now living in Prince Edward County, Peggy volunteers with Community Care’s knitting circle and walking programs. “When I retired and moved to the County, I wanted to meet people and give back,” she shares. “As a child, and right through high school, I would go weekly with my grandmother to visit seniors. So, it felt entirely natural that I’d be drawn to helping older adults.”

Peggy has witnessed firsthand the impact of volunteering on the lives of seniors in the community. One connection stands out in particular: “As a volunteer with the Friendly Visiting program, I visited one lovely elderly widow weekly for nine years. My visits, especially during COVID and after the loss of her son, meant the world to her. She truly counted on them.”

For Peggy, the joy of volunteering often comes from the stories shared. “What I love most about volunteering with Community Care is that everyone has a story—seniors especially, because their stories are longer. During our winter walking program at the high school, one of the walkers shared that he had trekked in Nepal. I’d been there too. Then another walker said she’d trekked in Nepal. And another said her friend had just returned from there. That Nepal connection brought us all together in the most delightful way. These are the happy moments that make volunteering so special.”

Peggy encourages anyone considering volunteering to approach it with openness. “Have an open heart and an open mind. When you volunteer, you never know how profoundly you might affect someone’s life. You might give them a reason to hang on, to reflect on the past, or to look forward to the future. And just as much, volunteers can learn from seniors. It’s truly a win-win.”