The play's the thing for longtime Fringe helper
The 67-year-old Winnipegger's interest in volunteerism stems from her upbringing on a farm near Yorkton, Sask. Whenever there was a community event, Molnar's parents helped and recruited her to get involved.
'(That) was instrumental in how I look at volunteer work now,' Molnar says.
'Certainly it's a way to give back to the community but really it's a little selfish as well — it makes me feel good that I'm able to contribute.'
One of Molnar's longstanding volunteer commitments is with the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, which the semi-retired museum consultant got involved with shortly after she and her husband moved to Winnipeg in 1990.
Molnar had spent the previous two summers volunteering at Edmonton's fringe festival and figured getting involved with the Winnipeg iteration would be a good way to meet people.
'Winnipeg was very welcoming to me and it was just a fun time, so I kind of got hooked on it,' Molnar says. 'Here I am, 35 years later, still volunteering and still enjoying every minute of it.'
This year's fringe festival runs from July 16-27 and will feature more than 145 performing companies in 26 venues in and around downtown.
Molnar has filled a variety of roles over the years, including taking tickets, ushering people to their seats and assisting with the children's programming.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Become the face of Volunteer Manitoba as a Community Engagement Ambassador at community events, career fairs and volunteer fairs from September-November, after which you can decide to continue volunteering with us. Your responsibilities will include setting up and working at an information booth interacting with event attendees. This position allows you to talk with hundreds of participants about the benefits and joys of volunteering! Volunteer shifts are Wednesdays (between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.), some weekends and evenings. Apply online: wfp.to/iT0. Deadline is Aug. 15.
MS Canada is seeking individuals to join their team to support the Gimli MS Bike, which will take place on Aug. 23-24. Volunteer assistance is needed throughout the event to ensure it runs smoothly and that participants have an enjoyable experience while biking to raise crucial funds for those affected by MS. Volunteers are required on Aug. 23 and/or Aug. 24, with shifts ranging from two to eight hours depending on the shift and level of commitment. This opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact in the community by contributing talent and time. For more information and to view role descriptions and shifts, visit the Volunteer Website and sign up by Aug. 20: wfp.to/iTN. For additional details, contact Karyn Heidrick at karyn.heidrick@mscanada.ca.
Join the YWG Goldwings Volunteer Program to welcome and assist travelers at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. As a volunteer, you'll greet guests, offer assistance, and provide directions to enhance the travel experience. Representing the Winnipeg Airports Authority with professionalism and pride, you'll actively engage with passengers and ensure clear communication. Volunteers are expected to commit to at least 100 hours annually and must demonstrate strong communication, customer service, and teamwork skills. Open to individuals aged 16 and over, a criminal record check is required, and the ability to speak languages other than English is an asset. Apply online: wfp.to/iT6. Deadline is Aug. 1.
Freeze Frame Media Arts Centre for Young People is seeking a volunteer social media coordinator. Freeze Frame is a non-profit charitable organization that manages the Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages in March and provides workshops related to animation and film throughout the year. The volunteer social media co-ordinator will work in collaboration with Freeze Frame staff in creating content to post to Freeze Frame accounts for the promotion of its festival and other activities throughout the year. Responsibilities for the volunteer social media co-ordinator include posting content for Freeze Frame's social media accounts, including the writing of captions and creation of graphics. An ability to write in French is an asset. High school students looking for experience and credited volunteer hours are welcome to apply. Apply by email: director@freezeframeonline.org. Deadline is Sept. 30.
Do you want to make a difference? The Canadian Red Cross Society is looking for volunteers in Manitoba for programs like Smart Start and Disaster Risk Reduction. These roles involve leading sessions on climate change and emergency preparedness, and require effective communication and cultural sensitivity. Volunteers may also join the emergency responder and personal disaster assistance teams to help during disasters. Training and background checks are mandatory. This opportunity offers skills in public speaking and crisis management, making a significant impact on communities. Interested individuals should email their resume and any questions to SmartStart@RedCross.ca. Deadline is Dec. 31.
Manitoba Possible is seeking community outreach volunteers. Volunteers will contact community centres, clinics and senior living facilities to introduce their platform, maintaining records of who was contacted, when materials were delivered and any notes from conversations. Your goal is to help foster positive connection with new and returning community partners and share insights on which locations were receptive, any challenges faced, or suggestions for improving outreach. Volunteers are needed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, daytime hours. Apply by July 25 at: manitobapossible.ca.
Event day volunteers are needed for the Disc Golf Manitoba Provincials 2025. Volunteer roles include: course setup and take down of signage etc., player check-in and starter (checking in players to the park and getting them ready for their starting tee times), and spotter who will be on the course helping with play, interacting with other park users. Volunteers — ages 13-plus — must be able to be outdoors for the day, available for a minimum of two hours, and must be fluent in English. The event will be held July 19 at La Barriere Park, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and July 20 at Stony Mountain Quarry Park, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Apply by email: jessica.benoit@dgmanitoba.ca. Deadline is July 17.
She's helped with administrative work before the start of the festival, trained new volunteers and assisted with daily accounting duties during the event.
These days, Molnar volunteers as a team leader, overseeing a group of helpers at one of the venues.
Other than the two-year hiatus the festival took from live performances owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, Molnar hasn't missed a festival in three-and-a-half decades — though her volunteering was cut short in the middle of the 1993 festival when she gave birth to the second of her three children.
'I did work my shift the night before he was born,' Molnar recalls, noting her son arrived two weeks early. The shift ended at 7 p.m. and she gave birth fewer than 12 hours later. 'I missed all my shifts after that.'
In addition to her work as a team leader, Molnar and her husband billet fringe performers in their St. James home every year.
Molnar enjoys the behind-the-scenes look that volunteering gives her.
'You feel like you're part of something bigger and something very creative. I've never been part of a play and it always amazes me the amount of effort and talent that goes into that.'– Wendy Molnar
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'You feel like you're part of something bigger and something very creative,' she says. 'I've never been part of a play and it always amazes me the amount of effort and talent that goes into that. You connect with performers and get to know how much work goes into each of those performances, day in and day out.'
Molnar also enjoys connecting with festivalgoers.
'People might be tired after seeing four or five shows in a day, but they're excited,' she says. 'They're excited to tell people about great shows and to tell the performers about how great they were.'
The festival is accepting volunteer applications until Tuesday. For details, visit winnipegfringe.com or email volunteers@winnipegfringe.com.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
Aaron EppReporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
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