She has volunteered for the United Way, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and at long-term care homes. She started volunteering at Streamway Villa last Christmas, and characterizes he work with residents at the Cobourg long-term care home as a “win-win” situation.

“I think both parties win,” says Chamberlain. “I enjoy people’s company, and I enjoy trying to give back to the community . . . and I think people I volunteer with benefit from whatever I can bring.”

Affected with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition causing gradual degeneration of the eye’s retina, Chamberlain lost her vision some years ago. Accompanied by her guide dog, a black lab named Kelly, Chamberlain comes to the home every Wednesday to spend a few hours with a couple of the residents.

Isabelle Armstrong is one of the residents Chamberlain regularly visits. Armstrong can often be found reading to Chamberlain.

“This gives her an opportunity to do something for someone, too,” says Chamberlain.

Armstrong also likes to encourage Chamberlain to participate in resident activities. Recently, residents had a drumming circle as part of the music program. Armstrong convinced a wary Chamberlain to join in on the fun.

“I was a little shy,” admits Chamberlain. “I thought ‘Oh, my gosh, I don’t know if I want to do it;’ and she says, ‘come on, come on,’ so I did and it was a lot of fun.”

Armstrong tells the OMNIway that Chamberlain brightens her day when she visits.

“When she leaves I’m a little bit sad,” she says, adding she especially enjoys conversations they have about each other’s families. “We seem to help each other in that way.”

Chamberlain says volunteering gives her a good feeling because she knows she’s making a difference in the lives of residents she visits. She adds she sometimes gets the urge to drop by the home on days she’s not volunteering.

One weekend not long ago Chamberlain was near the home and decided to stop by to visit Armstrong.

“I just popped in for a surprise visit and it made me feel better,” she says.