OXFORD, N.S. – Her granddaughter was heading off to university, and needed some extra money. Janet Tattrie had an idea.
The Oxford retiree started gathering some items, and posted them on Facebook in an online auction. The event was successful, and the start of something that would benefit many of those in the community in need of a helping hand.
“It sort of took off from there,” she said. “People started to approach me, saying this group needs money, and can we do an auction? It sort of boomeranged from there.”
She did another one last week for a lady who lost her husband suddenly, and found herself “in a bit of a bind.” People started bringing Tattrie items, and an auction raised $1,000 in a matter of a few days.
She has also given to the local food bank, skating club, and others from funds collected in the online auctions.
“It’s usually families, like somebody who has cancer and needs to travel, or people in distress,” she explained. “Right now, I’m looking at someone who needs dental work done. Wherever there’s a need.”
Tattrie likes to keep busy, and retirement has not slowed her down. When a local resettlement committee was formed to help an immigrant family settle in Oxford, she stepped up and volunteered.
“I thought it sounded very interesting,” she said. “All of this stuff is very educational too. You learn a lot from things like that.”
Tattrie is also involved with groups like the Oxford Lionettes, the Happy Neighbours Club, and more.
For this dedication to her community, she was named by the Town of Oxford as its volunteer representative of the year, and received a certificate from Premier Stephen McNeil, Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine and Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc during the recent annual volunteer awards banquet in Halifax.
She said it was a lovely ceremony, and great honour.
“I’m the sort of person who likes to stay in the background, but they put me in the foreground right now and I’m kind of liking it,” said Tattrie. “Volunteering is just something I enjoy. I get a lot of personal satisfaction out of it, and enjoy helping other people.”
