Meet Canada Comforts Society's Board Members
Roberta Graham
President
Roberta Graham is the President of Canada Comforts Society (CCS). She brings over 30 years experience in the administrative branch of the medical profession. She was the co-ordinator of the CSMTA (Canadian Sports Massage Therapy Association) and has her LPN credentials. During an information session on CCS, Roberta learned in some countries babies came home wrapped in newspapers, and this and her lifelong love of sewing, spurred her to become a more active member. When the former President stepped down it was a natural progression for Roberta to take up the position. Organizing information talks, dealing with donors and volunteers across Canada, checking quality control and working closely with the Compassionate Warehouse are just some of Roberta's duties. Roberta resides in beautiful Victoria, BC.
Sara Hatfield, Secretary/Treasurer
Secretary/Treasurer
Sara has been a member of Canada Comforts for a number of years, the contact for all Ontario members since 2018 and in April 2022 took over the Secretary/Treasurer role.
Her background is in administration, business operations, training, resource and financial management and has held various administrative, operational and management positions in her 33 years working in the hi-tech industry.
Sara has always been inspired by her whole family’s commitment to volunteering and community service. She has had an extraordinary example set by her grandparents and parents and she is happy to continue in their footsteps. She considers Canada Comforts a unique and very special way to impact the lives of people around the world.
Sylvia Hatfield M.S.M.
Founder/Past President
At the age of 15, Sylvia began a life long passion of volunteering. She is Hospice trained with many years of working with the terminally ill, and has been active in Employment Assistance and Volunteer Management Programmes as well. Her professional career started with teaching primary children and ended with curriculum design and adult professional development education.
From the Hatfield home in 1992 Sylvia and her friend, Pamela Striha, started a “Bears and Bags” group. They never dreamt the idea would spread across the country. Sylvia’s Canada Comforts’ work has been honoured by the receiving of two medals: The Queen’s Jubilee Medal presented at the Royal Roads University, Victoria and the Meritorious Service medal presented by the Governor General at Rideau Hall, Ottawa. On both occasions Sylvia stated that she represented thousands of caring volunteers. Sylvia is very grateful to all who make up the Canada Comforts’ team. As items are being made, she hopes that each volunteer will picture a recipient and send love, hope and the message “Canadians care”.