Volunteer Spotlight: Patty Wiebe

Meet Patty, a passionate Luna volunteer helping children and families navigate challenging moments.

Patty has been volunteering with Luna for about a year, lending her skills as both a Court Support Advocate and Court Administration Advocate. Her role involves accompanying victims to court—whether in person or through remote testimony—and being a calming presence for families during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

“My job is more than just attending court,” Patty said. “It’s about being there for whatever the child or family needs. Sometimes they need a distraction, sometimes they need space. It’s incredibly rewarding to help make an incredibly hard day a little easier.”

Patty’s journey to Luna is rooted in a lifetime of education, experience, and a deep commitment to volunteering. With a background in psychology, social work, and law, she had always been drawn to roles that support others. After years of raising two daughters and volunteering in their schools and activities, Patty was ready to find a new place to dedicate her time.

Outside of Luna, Patty leads a busy life. She manages bookkeeping for her husband’s dental practice and stays active with her passions for travel and philanthropy. In the past year alone, she visited Easter Island and Antarctica, as well as worked with Non-Government Organizations in Ethiopia and Rwanda.

For Patty, volunteering at Luna is about making an impact, one family at a time. “The focus is always on the children,” she said. “It’s an honor to support them during such a critical moment in their lives.”

How long have you been volunteering with Luna?
I’ve been volunteering with Luna for about a year now. I started training in the fall and jumped into the role shortly after.

What are your volunteer roles right now, including outside of Luna?
At Luna, I’m involved in court support and also take on court administration shifts when I’m not actively supporting in court. My role involves attending court with victims, whether at the courthouse or assisting with remote testimony via CCTV. It’s about being there for whatever they need—whether that’s providing a distraction, offering them space, or supporting their families.

Why did you decide to volunteer with Luna?
Before I had kids, I earned an undergrad degree in psychology and social work. Later, I went back to school for a law degree, but I put my career on hold when my oldest daughter was born. My two daughters are now 23 and 25, and I’ve always been involved in their schools or activities. My youngest was born with a heart defect, so I became very active in supporting causes for children with heart conditions.

When I started looking for new volunteer opportunities, I joined the Calgary Police Service Victim Assistance Support Team. Through that, I met Debra, a Luna volunteer, who mentioned Luna was looking for court support volunteers. The idea appealed to me—it felt meaningful and tied into my education and experiences from years ago.

What is the most rewarding part about volunteering at Luna?
It’s incredibly rewarding work. Knowing that you’re doing something truly helpful is fulfilling. Luna also has such a supportive and dedicated team, which makes the experience even better.

The focus is always on the children. When I’m with them, I know they’re facing one of the hardest moments of their lives. It’s an honor to be there and, hopefully, make things a little bit easier for them.

What are your goals or aspirations when it comes to volunteering at Luna?
My main goal is to focus on what I can do to help and to continue supporting the children and families who need it most.

What have you learned, from your career or life experiences, that you can apply at Luna?
My background as a litigation lawyer gave me a strong familiarity with court processes and protocols, which has been incredibly useful in my role. Having experience with the legal system helps me feel comfortable navigating the court environment while supporting others through it.

Outside of your role at Luna, what interests keep you busy?
I do bookkeeping for my husband’s dental practice, but my favorite moments are spent with my kids. Even though they both live out of town, I cherish every chance I get to see them.

I also love to travel. Recently, I returned from an incredible trip to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Antarctica. I’m also involved with an NGO in Ethiopia and Rwanda, which has been deeply meaningful. I’ve been there twice in the past year to connect with their work.