CHECKING IN
Goldwing Eldeen Stark
By Tania Moffat E
GOLDWING AMBASSADORS FAST FACTS:
• The Goldwing program was launched in 1997. Volunteers wore gold vests until 2011.
• Goldwings celebrated the logging of over 200,000 volunteer hours this past winter.
• Ambassadors have been recog- nized multiple times for ensuring exceptional visitor experience.
• Winnipeg Airports Authority received the Service Excellence Award on behalf of the Goldwing Ambassadors at the Manitoba Tour- ism Awards.
• The program started with 25 volunteers and has swelled to 107 volunteers today; 273 over the life of the program.
• They are able to provide assis- tance in over 19 languages.
legant and soft-spoken, Eldeen Stark appears almost shy as she sits down and begins to talk about her experiences as a Gold- wing Ambassador at the Winnipeg Richardson International airport. She has been wearing the unmistakable gold attire and
volunteering as a Goldwing since the fall of 2006. “I first heard of the pro- gram from an article I read and I thought, that sounds interesting I could do that,” she says. When asked why she decided to volunteer as a Goldwing, she doesn’t hesitate to answer. “Te people, and getting to work with the public. Te most enjoyable part is the passengers; they’re great. Some of them are not too happy. Especially Monday mornings if flights have been delayed, they can kind of growl at you, but they cool down.” It is easy to see how Eldeen’s soft-spoken manner can put people at ease, a trait well suited to her role as ambassador. She is very knowledgeable about the airport and its amenities, in part
from the continuous training she receives. “Our main goal is to help pas- sengers.” Lots of people ask directions or want to know where they can get coffee or something to eat. If it is an airline-related issue, she directs them to the airline for help. Passengers looking for the washrooms are a “big- gie,” she laughs, but sometimes it is just being there and offering someone support. “I saw a very young family with a baby and went up to them because they
looked rattled. Tey explained their whole story. Unfortunately, their travel agent didn’t tell them they needed a second visa. I spent a lot of time with them as they had to stay at the airport all day. I basically just sat with them, you know, got them tea or coffee. It just sort of helped to calm them,” she remembers. When asked about some of her favourite moments, her eyes light up.
“I’m a sports nut,” she says enthusiastically, so seeing the Alouette’s now former quarterback, Anthony Calvillo, a couple of years ago was definitely a highlight for her. Eldeen also recalls meeting Don Cherry, “He was very, very different from television. He was dressed to the nines, but not over- loaded like on TV. He looked really sharp. I shook his hand and said wel- come to Winnipeg. He was very nice.” “Oh, and I got to see the Queen. She’s a lovely lady. Tat was a biggie.”
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were the very first passengers to arrive at the Winnipeg Richardson International airport on July 3, 2010; a rare opportunity as Royals don’t normally pass through commercial airports. Goldwings are our airport ambassadors. Every time Eldeen volunteers she makes a difference in people’s lives just by being a friendly face. Some- times, a friendly face is all that people need to make a difference in their day. In the end, that is what being a Goldwing is all about: assisting people and creating a positive impression of our province, our city, our airport and well, us.
62 • Summer 2014 The Hub
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