Portraits of volunteers. In Viserny, Bernard Ollivier devoted his life to serving others.

Born in Viserny in 1944, Bernard Ollivier, a man of heart and action, gives his time selflessly. While he has been a member of the board of directors of the Montbard Volunteer Blood Donors Association since 1965, representing 60 years of commitment, his career is much broader and richer.

It all began at age 20, with the Viserny firefighters. He became a first aider in 1968, after spending 13 years helping his parents on the family farm. His military service, carried out from 1963 to 1965, took him to Auxonne and then Lyon, before completing a military sports instructor internship in Dijon: "Intensive work that I haven't regretted."

He then joined Vallourec in March 1965, where he spent his entire career until 2004, ending up as a technical sales representative. "I loved my job," he says simply.

Married in 1968 to Martine, father of three daughters and grandfather of seven grandchildren, Bernard also found time to get involved in his village. In 1971, "almost by accident", he became mayor of Viserny . "A list was created, friends put me on it without telling me... And I was elected!" He remained in this position until 1995, combining the roles of road mender, social worker, and makeshift repairer...

His associative career is impressive: president of the intercommunal agricultural sanitation union of his region (1972-2003), active member of Sivom (intercommunal union with multiple vocations), Crédit Agricole, the mutual of factories, ADMR, and even Villages en fête, of which he was president for four years.

Add to this his commitment to the Red Cross and APSRVA (Association for the Preservation and Rebirth of the Auxois Vineyard), which he co-founded with Alain Brigodiot and Michel Protte. It is notably thanks to him that the vineyards of Villaines-les-Prévôtes and Viserny were born. He also worked to save the Montbard hospital. But if there is one commitment that has always followed him, it is that of blood donation. "It's a noble cause. I really enjoy meeting donors, talking, and sharing. We give, but we also receive a lot." Each collection is a source of joy and energy for him. "When I come back from a collection, I'm boosted for the week!" he says, his eyes sparkling. He calls on everyone, especially the youngest, to become a volunteer blood donor.

Bernard embodies the spirit of volunteerism. "Giving your time is priceless. It fills your life." A full life, punctuated today by visits from his grandchildren, family meals... And his garden, which he tends with the same passion as his commitments.