Volunteer Spotlight: Gretchen Grabow
VFM has 80+ volunteers who dedicate hundreds of hours to our organization each year. From counting Market Money to playing host at our neighbourhood sites, our markets simply wouldn’t be the same without their hard work and dedication. This month, we’re celebrating a very special volunteer – someone who has been working with us since the early days of Trout Lake Market in 1995! Meet Gretchen Grabow, superstar Main St. Station volunteer and all-round wonderful person…
I’m a retired social worker and worked in Vancouver for 30 years after immigrating here from the US. I was working in San Francisco in the Fillmore projects in the 60s when they started redeveloping the area and people were being displaced. In 1968 there were two assassinations in the same year, Martin Luther King Jr and President Kennedy. With that and the Vietnam War, I decided to move to Canada.
A: I was part of the very first volunteer team when the Trout Lake market first opened…over 20 years ago!
A: I believe in local and the farmers markets is a reflection of my values. It’s really about connection with people who grow my food. I’m also really fond of the staff. Roberta, Jen, Laura and Gabby are all wonderful to work with!
A: A few years ago at the 20th anniversary, the staff was taking a big group photo at the Main St market. Someone yelled out “Gretchen, get in the photo!” and I said that I wasn’t part of the staff but they insisted I be part of the photo since I’ve been around longer than most of the staff! It made me feel so important and was a wonderful acknowledgement. It really touched my heart.
A: I used to volunteer at the local Amnesty International. I was a chair person for 12 years!
