Few aspects of life have remained untouched by COVID-19. People have lost jobs, schools have closed, and unless you have a company that produces hand sanitizer or face masks, for the most part, Canadian businesses have taken a giant hit.
With so many people’s livelihoods affected, of course, the deficit is passed down the chain. Charities and non-profit organizations have had to lay off staff as fundraising events and grants have been cancelled and donations have dwindled. In the coming weeks and months, as the world recovers, volunteering and donating will become more important than ever.
Knowledge Network volunteer Monika Forberger of New Westminster understands the seriousness of these times, especially for the arts.
“Sadly, there will be many arts organizations that will not survive this difficult time,” she says. “It has become obvious how vitally important every penny and every minute we can give is to helping support our cultural organizations. But knowing the resilience of the many artists in BC, they will bounce back. Even helping to support their video programming, mostly done from their own homes, costs money, so our continued support as viewers will help this work.”
As someone who had a career as a radio station and newspaper arts reporter and writer, Monika’s passions continue to run towards the arts. She has been involved as a volunteer for many years with organizations like the Vancouver Opera, the Pacific Theatre and many others that provide outstanding entertainment for BC residents. She was also on a Board of Volunteers that supported the music programme at Vancouver Community College. Since 2002, Monika has run a website dedicated to the lively arts, called EntertainmentVancouver.com.
In recent years, Monika had the pleasure of meeting Knowledge Network’s president and CEO, Rudy Bouttignol, several times, and was impressed with his dedication and how well he has continued to move the organization forward. She felt that giving a few hours of her time to Knowledge would be worthwhile.
The Knowledge Network supports lifelong learning for children and adults by providing quality, commercial-free programming. Monika appreciates that there’s so much good children’s programming.
“This gives them an excellent introduction to the kinds of programmes they will be asking for as they mature,” she says.
During this challenging time, when we cannot get out as much as we would like, Knowledge Network can be a window to the outside world. The programmes are varied, well researched and fascinating. There are old favourites and exciting new additions every month.
“Knowledge programmes lift the spirits and keep us intrigued and entertained,” says Monika. “An evening’s viewing of Knowledge will take you around the world, into jungles or art galleries and let you see behind the scenes of everything from the construction of dams to world famous concerts. Knowledge has something for every taste.”
Like the Knowledge Network website says, however, “commercial-free, doesn’t mean free,” and as a publicly funded educational television network that receives some funding from the BC government, they also rely heavily on donations.
As well as donating a small amount each month to the Knowledge Network (which allows you to claim “ownership” and become a proud Knowledge partner) for the past three years, Monika has also spent three or four hours a week volunteering at the office, helping with tasks like telephoning partners to thank them for their donations, mailing out the Knowledge magazine and sending letters and receipts to Knowledge partners. Of course, volunteering was suspended due to COVID-19, but Monika can’t wait to get back to it when restrictions are lifted.
For Monika, volunteering gives back to her as much as she gives to it and she’s grateful for the opportunity to help.
“It was my parents who instilled this in me,” she says. “As immigrants, they were always grateful for what a good life we had in Canada, and that it was our responsibility to give back whenever we could. There was always music in our home and an abiding love of learning.”
Monika believes the future of volunteering and donating will become an even more integral part of every arts organization in Canada.
As art consumers, we have to give even more to ensure we continue to have the rich cultural life we have enjoyed until now, of which the Knowledge Network is such an important part, says Monika. “Support of this vitally important organization must continue.”
For more info on how to volunteer or donate, go to www.knowledge.ca
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