NVW 2023 Photo Contest Entries

 Check out the photos from this year’s contest to #CelebrateBCVolunteers!

2023 Grand Prize Winner

CityReach Care Society

Meet Gabriel. He came to CityReach in 2021, when his family first arrived in Canada. They were able to receive food support, clothing and school supplies for their 7 children. Since then, Gabriel has joined us as a volunteer at Food For Families and Club Freedom.
“As a volunteer, being part of a Food For Families provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment by helping others in need. Volunteering also provides opportunities to develop new skills, meet new people, and gain a deeper understanding of the needs in our community. As a recipient of support from Food For Families, we have benefitted in many ways. Access to nutritious food helps improve one’s physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. Being part of CityReach, as a volunteer and a recipient, has a positive impact by providing access to nutritious food, fostering community connections, and promoting a sense of purpose and fulfillment.”
Thank you, Gabriel for being part of our team. We are grateful to know you and your beautiful family.

2023 Daily Winners

Greenways Land Trust

April Rykers is one of our most active volunteers. As a long time Conservation Team Member, she has planted her share of trees and removed her share of invasive plants from Campbell River’s natural areas. April has more recently joined the Simms Streamkeepers, helping out at both the Fall and Spring Simms Fish Fences. April can always be counted on if there is a job that needs to get done and she does it all with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. Thanks, April, for making our work party events so much fun!

Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society

To describe the volunteers at the Delta Auxiliary Thrift Store, one words stands out – Community.
They are the glue that holds together our operations. Each crew of volunteers, for each day of the week, all make up this beautiful woven tapestry that is our community.When you walk through the volunteer doors, one can be ready to hear laughter, stories, and music! Our volunteers are always diligently at work, sorting clothes, pricing items, and greeting customers with a smile.

Special Olympics BC - Terrace

Did you know that Special Olympics in Terrace is run entirely by Volunteers? We would like to take this opportunity to highlight all the amazing volunteers in Terrace that allow Special Olympics – BC to function year round. From our coaches, to our treasurer and fundraising coordinator, we wouldn’t be able to do it without you so thank you so much!

A Home for Hooves Farm Sanctuary

This is Carla and she has been with us for years. She is absolutely phenomenal and not only does she work her butt off when she’s here, she also finishes her weekly visit with singing and guitar play for the animals which they love!

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station #106 - Shuswap

This week is National Volunteer Week, which celebrates the selfless act of volunteering. It is not just about the actions we take as a collective, but also about building community, gaining knowledge, fostering resilience, and positively impacting the lives of others. We commend those who generously donate their time to support individuals and organizations in need. We express our gratitude to all volunteers for their valuable contributions and hard work.

NatureKids BC

Here’s a sneak peek into all the love, enthusiasm, and passion our NatureKids volunteers bring to each and every Explorer Day! We are beyond grateful for your support in aiding us to achieve our mission of connecting families to the beautiful nature in our province. Thank you for all that you do for us! We truly appreciate it.

CRIS Adaptive

Volunteers are at the heart of CRIS’s work! Each day this week we will be celebrating them, but really, all CRIS trips would not be possible without them. We want to thank all our volunteers for all their hard work and dedication to CRIS! Regional District of Central Okanagan Parks are a favourite for our volunteers! Here are some amazing CRIS volunteers in Mission Creek Park

2023 Photo Entries

Mission Skating Club

These skaters raised $2,784.00 for Kids Sport BC (Mission). We are so proud of them and their hard work.

HugABull Advocacy & Rescue Society

Here are some of the talented women on the HugABull team at our Summer Party fundraiser in 2022.

These are just a few of the wonderful volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of bully breeds throughout British Columbia.

We are a 100% volunteer-run non-profit and are so thankful to everyone who has donated their time over the last 20 years!

Mission Skating Club

Congratulations to Carlene, the recipient of this year’s BC/YT Section Volunteer Award! 35 years of being involved with MSC and Skate Canada in some way – we are proud to have you in our club!

Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society

Judy learning English one-on-one with Nycole. Lessons are made fun and accessible here at Project Literacy!

Shuswap Immigrant Services Society

Without incredible volunteers- like Uschi!!- we would not be able to offer such fun, useful, and often tasty events! Here are some of our clients with Uschi celebrating Swiss culture with a traditional raclette meal. Happy National Volunteer Week to our fabulous volunteers!

Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society

Our long-time tutor, Byron Johnstad takes such joy in teaching his students! This week we celebrate our incredible Volunteers!

CRIS Adaptive

Volunteers are at the heart of CRIS’s work! Each day this week we will be celebrating them, but really, all CRIS trips would not be possible without them. We want to thank all our volunteers for all their hard work and dedication to CRIS!

Pat Suter

The Hixon Community Association Volunteers received a grant and had a local build this Library. It is used by locals and others traveling through Hixon.

Pat Suter

When there was no Santa for the Summit Lk Community Larry Thompson and Pat Suter decided to help out and volunteer to play the part. A Santa suit was available for Larry so Pat made herself a Mrs. Clause outfit. A very fun evening giving out gifts to all the children.

Shuswap Immigrant Services Society

We are so thankful to each and every volunteer that donates their time and skills to our organization and clients. Thanks to Julia we have a whole bunch of new ukulele players in our community! It is so sweet to make music together!

Neil Squire Society

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all of our Neil Squire volunteers. We couldn’t do what we do without your help.

KCR Community Resources

This photo is from our Volunteer Managers Appreciation Breakfast in September 2022 where 100+ students from Ecole Glenmore Elementary School volunteered to put on a performance to thank the volunteer managers in our region. The students even inspired the attendees to get up and dance!

Atira Women's Resource Society

Meet Aniah. She shared: “I am so grateful for having the opportunity to complete my practicum with Atira. The staff from Georgina’s were amazing . . . very helpful and answered all the questions I had regarding the program. I appreciate the opportunity to [continue] working at Georgina’s after my practicum.”

Greenways Land Trust

Bob Tonkin has been the lead Simms Creek Streamkeeper for more than a decade now, leading extensive salmon habitat works and being a key community member when it comes to the preservation of the ecosystems in this watershed. This year alone, Bob put in more than 70 hours of volunteer time including a lot of time running the Simms Creek fish fences. We are so thankful for people like Bob who put so much into our community!

City Reach Care Society

Meet Michel, one of our Club Freedom guests, who is now volunteering with our Food For Families program. “Club Freedom has helped me in my journey, helped give me hope when I had none, how it was important for me to have somewhere I could go and be accepted no matter where I was in life. I would explain to them it helped me to keep going and brightened my day.”

CRIS Adaptive

Many of our summer staff return as volunteers and we are so thankful for their continued support. Like Jaz!!!!

Parent Support Services BC

We are incredibly grateful to have such a wonderful group of compassionate, kind and enthusiastic volunteers.

MADD Metro Vancouver

MADD Vancouver would like to acknowledge sisters Eryn and Emily for their sustained efforts to support the mission of MADD Canada.

 

Collingwood CPC

The community of Joyce-Collingwood is well served by the wonderful VPD Volunteers. Thank you for all your road safety outreach and making our community safer.

Volunteer Prince George

“If there is someone who wants to volunteer, we connect them, depending on what their passion is with the organizations in Prince George,” said Nadine Fieber, Chair of the Volunteer Prince George Board.

Pat Suter

Jill Ruddick and Christianne McRae Volunteer every month to make a meal by donation with Hixon Soup Group and make a pot of soup every two weeks throughout the winter to be delivered to the Seniors and people in need in our area.

Surrey Crime Prevention Society

Thank you to all of our volunteers who dedicate their invaluable time & energy to enhancing community safety in the City of Surrey. There would be no GreenTeam without you!

 

Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society

Our crews work hard with various companies to recycle what we can – in the picture above, Peter is wrapping up items to be recycled, after carefully removing the price tags. So many of our volunteers work hard to do their part, often work that goes unnoticed.

Shuswap Immigrant Services Society

Here are some clients learning about the SPCA. Thank you to all our volunteers who share their time with us!

Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society

Tom and Denys volunteering at one of our recruitment events. We always appreciate the extra help!

Low Entropy

We are so grateful for the amazing volunteers from our last Tri-Cities Community Market! Each and every one of them helped make our community market a huge success! We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for all your hard work and effort!

 

 

Mission Skating Club

Thank you to our board members take the time to make sure the club is successful for the kids and coaches: Veronica, Angelina, Erica, Carlene, Nikki, Kristi, Lisa, Jenn, Gwen, Galen, Annie, and Jenna! And our Program Assistants: Nicola, Ashley, Lyla, Clara, Rya, Amba, Ella, Alexis, Kacey, Sophia, Alice, Sage, Johanna, Brooke, Katie, Gurpartap, and Kalee!

Road Safety Harvey

Thank you VPD Volunteers for all your road safety outreach. The team is seen across South Vancouver giving back their time and making the community a safer place

Strathcona CPC

Dan Turvill, the executive director of Strathcona CPC, on our volunteers: “I appreciate and value you so much and your belief in us as an organization, and your belief in us as staff and Board!”

Greenways Land Trust

Janis La Couvée is one of our most dedicated volunteers. She is a passionate environmentalist who directs her energy and time into multiple avenues of stewardship work with Greenways. Janis is part of both the Development Committee and the Board of Directors. She is not only working behind the scenes, but on the scene as well! Janis frequently digs into an event with Conservation Team or lends a student a hand on a school group outing. We know that her efforts bring their own rewards, but nevertheless, we want to express our gratitude to Janis for all that she does!

Volunteer Burnaby

Happy National Volunteer Week! From April 16th to 22nd, Join us in celebrating all of the amazing volunteers in our region with the 2023 theme “Volunteering Weaves us Together”

Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society

In recognition of Volunteer Week, Thrift Store volunteers enjoyed pizza for lunch, courtesy of Panago Pizza Ladner. Show your love for our volunteers. The next time you’re at the thrift store or at the hospital greeted by a blue vest or buying something from the gift shop, feel free to say hi & thank them for their time.

Health and Home Care Society of BC

Thank you to our volunteers Hogan and Susan who deliver Chinese Meals on Wheels across Vancouver and Richmond.

Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society

Judy has a unique teaching tactic where she takes her Learner shopping so they can better understand the products they need to purchase for their day-to-day life. What an engaging and helpful way to learn!!

Thank you to Judy and all of the volunteers who make their lessons their own.

Shuswap Immigrant Services Society

Many newcomers want to practice their English language skills with the help of generous community members, like Indira. Often, the tutor sessions become much more than language learning and blossom into long-term friendships. We are so grateful to all of our English tutors and volunteers for helping welcome newcomers into our community and for providing such valuable experiences!

Latincouver

We are honored to recognize all the volunteers that were part of our amazing events since 2022 and 2023. Their hard work always have made a difference and we can’t do this without you.

Patient Voices Network

Volunteering is an action we take to support one another. All our interconnected actions help make our communities strong and vibrant. To all the volunteers making a difference across BC – Thank you!

Greenways Land Trust

Tom Porsborg is there when we need someone to volunteer for the tough and gritty tasks. He is one of our greatest contributors to maintaining the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands. When there is a tree down that needs to be cut, or a stubborn ditch that requires maintenance, Tom is always there to step in and volunteer. He is not only able, but willing to share his know-how with others. Tom graciously leads Adopt-a-Trail volunteers on our Group Trail Maintenance and Orientation Days in the Beaver Lodge Lands. Thank you, Tom!

CRIS Adaptive

This is one of our amazing volunteer trip leaders, Sarah!!

Road Safety Harvey

Kerrisdale Oakridge Marpole Community Policing Centre thank you for your road safety outreach. The efforts of VPD Volunteers are greatly appreciated. 

Oak Bay Police

A big thank you to our Reserve Constables who volunteer time to assist us with a variety of duties throughout the year. Most have full-time jobs and then come out on weekends to volunteer and help us out with special events and traffic enforcement.

West End - Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre

We can’t say thank you enough to our amazing volunteers! Here is a snapshot of us with smiles even at a very wet and cold Vancouver Sun Run

Parent Support Services Society of BC

Seeing all the smiles and conversations among the PSS volunteers yesterday, was such a delight! Thank you to all those who were able to join us via Zoom and in person for yesterday’s Volunteer Recognition Social.

Strathcona CPC

Strathcona Residents Association extends a warm thank you to all the volunteers who have contributed to the health and safety of our Strathcona community! Keep up the good work!

Road Safety Harvey

Thank you RCMP Volunteers and Community Engagement Team for your outreach educating the public about and locking out auto crime.

A Home for Hooves Farm Sanctuary

Jenee has been with us since the beginning! She is here every second Saturday to help care for all the animals, but she is particularly fond of the birds under our care. She is here rain or shine and has an absolutely beautiful heart. Jenee has a special bond with many of the bird residents and we are incredibly lucky to have her in our volunteer family. She is holding Harriet here, who had a cross beak.

Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society

Our volunteers at the Delta Hospital Gift Shop and the Information Desk are incredibly kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable – our local hospital would not be the same without them! A huge thank you to our team at the Hospital, representing the auxiliary

Pacific Immigrant Resources Society

We are thrilled to share stories about our amazing volunteers. We thank all volunteers who have supported PIRS, we couldn’t have done without you!

Shuswap Immigrant Services Society

Thanks to Val, Dave and Tahsin for volunteering their time last year (plus many other volunteer chefs and their helpers) as we offered four cooking classes to explore different foods and learn from each other.

Health and Home Care Society of BC

Care BC says “THANK YOU” to all our dedicated volunteers like Oringa & her son Ceto who joins her on Meals on Wheels routes when he’s off from school. Thank you!

Growing Chefs

In 2022, we worked with over 170 volunteers to deliver programming, assist with fundraising, research, planning, and events, and on boards and committees. In our Classroom Gardening & Cooking Program alone, volunteers contributed 2,014 hours to Growing Chefs. We are super grateful to have such amazing people giving their time, energy, and expertise to help us succeed. Thank You!

Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society

Shane is a wonderful asset to our Tutoring roster! We feel so fortunate to have so many incredible people, like Shane, who help to change other people’s lives with the power of English.

Health and Home Care Society of BC

Thank you to our volunteers Kathryn and Kenda who delivered Meals on Wheels to our client Lina in Vancouver recently.

Abbotsford Association for Healthy Aging

Thank you to our amazing volunteers, Nancy and Phyllis, for preparing all the food so that all our attendees at Social Café and Crafts & Chat can enjoy their sweet treats!

Sidney Museum

This National Volunteer Week the Sidney Museum would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all of our incredible volunteers! They greet our visitors, help organize our collection, set up exhibits, and so much more.

Greenways Land Trust

Michael Swanston is ceaseless in his commitment to the stewardship of the waterways and fish species of Campbell River. He puts in long hours and countless days working with the Streamkeepers group. He volunteers for events, such as garbage clean-ups along creeks, and is always present at the spring and fall fish fences. Thank you for your unwavering service to the environment, Michael!

CRIS Adaptive

Ken had been volunteering for CRIS for several years and is such a friendly face on trips!

West End - Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre

Sometimes on patrol, we find blossoms.

Pat Suter

Hixon Soup Group making dinner by Donation for community members that have registered. We will have 78 dinners being picked up between 4 pm & 6 pm today.

Community Volunteer Connections

Clients and volunteers at the lodges getting ready for the walk-a-mile event this weekend.

Richmond Food Bank Society

Here’s our amazing Thursday distribution team and our small, but mighty Friday crew who get donations sorted, hampers packed, and the warehouse ready for Saturday distributions!

Community Volunteer Connections

Cheryl, our program coordinator and volunteers at a celebration for clients at the mental health facilities in Coquitlam. The holiday celebrations had to wait for the new year, but our volunteers made sure clients at the lodges celebrated.

Greenways Land Trust

Chuck DeSorcy has been with Greenways since our founding days, working tirelessly on everything from food security to Streamkeepers to environmental advocacy work. Chuck is our current Vice President, as well as an active member of our Development Committee. He spends so much of his time doing important educational outreach work, actively improving local food production via community gardens and food forests and being a fantastic proponent towards Campbell River’s watershed health. Thank you, Chuck for all you do!

West End - Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre

To end National Volunteer Week! We want to thank our Volunteers for their dedication and smiles in helping keep the community a safe place to live, work and play!

Community Volunteer Connections

Check out Connolly staff showing appreciation for our volunteers.

West End - Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre

Volunteers are the back-bone of WECHCPC.

Health and Home Care Society of BC

Care BC says “THANK YOU” to all our volunteers during national volunteer week, like Dennis and his son Michael who volunteer together delivering Chinese Meals on Wheels across Vancouver and Richmond. 

A Home for Hooves Farm Sanctuary

Jana! Our dedicated pig ear and eye cleaner! It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it and Jana is their gal! This activity requires a significant amount of trust from both parties and the pigs adore her for it. Can’t you just see the love and compassion exuding from Chuck as he gets his ears cleaned?

CityReach Care Society

There are so many stories and people to thank – hundreds of them every week! So we will continue to do our best to show our appreciation all year long for the incredible compassion and dedication that is changing lives and impacting our whole community.

Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society

To end off Volunteer Week we want to again say a huge thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers – whether they work in the thrift shop, at the Hospital Gift Shop or Info desk, behind the scenes at Lifeline or with Pillow Pals – you are so valued! There are over 350 volunteers that partner with our Auxiliary and we are so pleased to have each one as a part of this team. We LOVE our volunteers

Greenways Land Trust

We are so excited to welcome Linda Nagle onto our Board here at Greenways! Linda has been an active help in so much of our work (and related works) over the years, not only as a previous City employee, but also as an active participant in the preservation of the Beaver Lodge Lands, an expert in Community Garden works, and a key founding member of our School Garden Program! Linda has recently been helping us with grant applications as well as hosting Greenways booths in local Community Outreach events such as Seedy Saturday. We are so thankful for the work she does!