Volunteering takes time, effort, compassion, and provides instant gratification.

Doreen Bye of Moose Jaw knows all about that, as she just recently celebrated her 65th year volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross.

"It seems like it only started yesterday, and here I am many years later still trying to do my part. I was a young farm girl that came to high school in Moose Jaw and wanted to do something with my classmates that seemed to be interesting, and help other people."

Starting when she was only 15, Bye says the feeling she gets from volunteering is a reward in itself and is the reason more people should give volunteering a try.

"There's instant payback for the individual when you volunteer, at least it has been in my life. Instant gratification and how could you not feel good about helping someone out, and certainly helping a worldwide organization like Red Cross that helps anyone, everyone. It certainly doesn't get better than that."

As for how things have changed over the last six and a half decades, Bye says the amount of exposure the Canadian Red Cross has is what has changed the most.

"I would say people are more aware of the work we do, we certainly are expanding our horizons and getting into other programs."

Anyone can sign up to become a volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross by visiting www.redcross.ca/volunteer