National Volunteer Week in Canada is April 16 to 22. In recognition of this week, OrilliaMatters is shining the spotlight on local volunteers who make a difference in their community. If you would like to become a volunteer, contact Information Orillia.
Ruth Watt is a vivacious, energetic woman who has been volunteering in Orillia for more than 50 years.
“Oh, gosh; some of the places I’ve volunteered for don’t even exist any more,” she said with a laugh. “I guess I’ve volunteered for CFUW Orillia the longest, and then probably Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT), a close second. I joined CFUW in 1969, and MAT probably in the ’80s sometime.”
Watt has produced 18 shows with MAT, as well as being on the board, working backstage and, now, chairing the MAT Film Nights committee.
“The last show I produced was Chicago, in 2017. There are lots of young people joining now and getting involved, so I figured it was time for me to move away from producing and working the live shows and leave some space for them. I love helping with Film Nights, though,” she said.
Michael Clipperton, also a volunteer with MAT, has high praise for Watt.
He met Watt when he moved to Orillia in 1987 to take a teaching at Twin Lakes Secondary School. Both were members of the English department.
“Ruth was also the co-producer (along with Sue Noble) of Spamalot, which I directed for MAT in 2014. Their work on that production was excellent, and I very much appreciated all that they did to make the show such a success,” Clipperton said.
“Their focus on all of the details, such as managing the budget, reserving the rehearsal hall, liaising with the opera house, etc., took a huge responsibility off my shoulders and gave me the opportunity to concentrate on getting the show audience-ready.”
Other volunteer work Watt has taken on include volunteering for the Orillia Museum of Art and History, bringing art workshops to local schools after she retired, being a member of the art in public places committee and the Twin Lakes Secondary School reunion committee, serving with the Mariposa Grandmothers group, and volunteering for Born To Read.
Her extensive volunteer work netted her a nomination and the honour of being a finalist for Orillia’s Citizen of the Year this year.
“I don’t have a favourite volunteer role; they are all fun. That’s why I do it. It has to be fun,” said Watt. “I have met so many interesting people. Volunteering is a great way to combine doing good and feeling good.”
She said she gets a lot out of volunteering.
“It’s easier to be a volunteer in a smaller community because you can see what’s going on and what you can get involved in. I am just the tip of a very big and important iceberg here in Orillia,” she said.
“All volunteers are amazing people. Volunteering gives you something to look forward to and adds important dimensions to your life. You get back what you give and then some when you volunteer.”
