Mission possible for these two
By John Mohan

During a 10-minute speech last Friday evening, I took the opportunity to introduce my seven-week-old grandson Lincoln to 400 volunteers who had gathered for Siloam Mission's annual Volunteer Appreciation Night.

I felt it only right to show off the world's most handsome grandbaby. I also wanted Lincoln to have the privilege of meeting some of Winnipeg's and Manitoba's finest citizens -- people who freely give their time, energy and talents to improve the quality of life for our less fortunate and make our community a better place for everyone. They are people who come to volunteer at Siloam Mission by car, transit and bicycle.

They come to prepare meals, sort clothes, cut hair, paint walls and even provide dentistry and other forms of health care. They come from all faiths, ages and socio-economic brackets. Of all the amazing people attending, there were two that I especially wanted him to meet: John and Donna.

John Ingalls is a retired RCMP officer who now owns/operates a construction company while residing on Helca Island with his wife Maxine. He began volunteering with Siloam in the 1990s, helping with the meal program, ensuring safety and orderliness, even preaching from time to time.

Prior to the 1999 PanAm Games, the City of Winnipeg moved to expropriate Siloam's aging property at Main and Higgins to create Neeginan Park. Ingalls helped negotiate a fair settlement for the Mission. But finding a new location proved difficult.

With limited funds, Mr. Ingalls spearheaded a search for an affordable facility adequate for Siloam's services. Choices were limited and progress slow. However, the greatest challenge turned out to be securing an operating permit as some city councillors at the time were openly and adamantly opposed to Siloam reopening.

Thankfully, Ingalls would not take "no" for an answer. His tenacity and leadership eventually resulted in locating a closed restaurant at 564 1/2 Main Street which was already appropriately zoned for Siloam's needs and services resumed in April 2000. Ms. Donna Morrow is a petite senior who commands the respect that only comes with compassionately serving the poor for nearly a decade in Siloam's clothing bank. Even the most hardened of street people revere her -- almost like a mother. When a young patron tragically died in a Main Street hotel, Donna grieved like it was her own son and donated generously to purchase a television set for the drop-in centre in his honour.

Donna has volunteered for Siloam in its most primitive and obscure forms and faithfully continued as an integral part of the team through rapid and complex growth. Unlike many who are threatened by growth and change, Donna has adapted and celebrated with each new expansion. When informed that Siloam had been awarded a million-dollar estate gift to build a health centre, she cried in joy.

Like the thousands who freely serve inner-city charities, John and Donna have made a permanent difference for our needy.

They have also given a legacy of compassion and service for new generations. Like my grandson Lincoln. He's blessed to have met them.

Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday, June 4, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.