Skip to content

Our People, Our Peninsula: ‘She’s not afraid to share her kindness with the world’

Raptors hold a special place in June Young’s heart
32689694_web1_221208-PAN-Hats-owl_1
White Rock’s June Young poses with Sarah, the resident barn owl at OWL (Orphaned Wildlife) Rehabilitation Society, where Young has volunteered for the past 12 years. (Contributed photo)

We know that volunteers are the backbone of any community. Without the efforts of people who donate their time, energy and expertise – asking for nothing but a thank you in return – many vital organizations and agencies would simply cease to function. In our third annual Our People, Our Peninsula feature, Peace Arch News is profiling seven volunteers whose efforts are making a meaningful difference in their community.

•••

June Young has been a feather in the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society’s cap for a dozen years, and is likely the organization’s most enthusiastic promoter on the Semiahmoo Peninsula.

Though nearly 80 now, the White Rock resident says she continues to love “every minute” of her time at the Delta facility – which is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of raptors – and it shows.

“June has a wonderful presence at OWL, she is cheerful, caring, gets along with all the volunteers young and old, and has many bird friends here as well!” says Martina Versteeg, OWL’s bird care manager.

In addition to assisting with everything from daily cleaning of the raptor enclosures and handling birds for treatment, Young runs tours for visitors, knits owl items for the gift shop and attends off-site events with the organization’s education birds to share her passion and knowledge.

“June also goes as far as handing out our pamphlets while walking her dog,” Versteeg says.

Introduced to the society through a friend, Young says she is thrilled by anything she can do to promote OWL, but notes she is only one person among “a totally amazing network of volunteers all over the province.”

“Everybody mucks in,” she says.

“Everybody works as hard as I do.”

OWL is also where another of Young’s most-treasured endeavours took flight; that of crocheting toques for Surrey RCMP officers to distribute to the homeless during the colder months of the year. While she has had to step back on volunteering with the Mounties – activities she first undertook some 20 years ago – Young says OWL has established itself as “the best thing” she’s ever done.

READ MORE: White Rock senior’s handcrafted toques bring ‘great joy’

She describes volunteering as “a way of life” that’s far more rewarding than any paid employment she’s known.

But, she says she could not do it if not for the support of Gerry, her husband of 56 years. She says Gerry not only drives her on her duty days, but has taken on many of the household chores to afford her more time to volunteer.

“And the bit I like the most – he does most of the cooking now,” she quipped.

Versteeg sums up what she has learned about Young succinctly:

“Simply, June is a caring person who isn’t afraid to share her time and kindness with the world.”



tracy.holmes@peacearchnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter www.peacearchnews.com/newsletters

– Tracy Holmes



Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
Read more