by Jessica Murdoch
“Helping people feeds the soul.”
This is Nicole Cameron’s simple answer when asked how volunteering has enriched her life.
Nicole, 20, has been volunteering for the Community Police station since September 2009. I asked her what sort of things she does there and she casually starts listing; “Child ID at the community events in Coquitlam, helping with projects going on around the city like the new underpass construction, school presentations and senior centre presentations, also basic stuff like assisting people at the station, doing criminal record checks, that sort of thing”.
Seem like a lot? That’s because Nicole volunteers five days a week.
She has logged over 570 hours since she began in September and her hard work has not gone unnoticed. She recently won a Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Award for Caring and Safety.
Nicole says her time volunteering is very rewarding. “It’s so nice to give back to the community, knowing that everyday I’m helping people, whether with little things or big problems.”
But the best part? “Probably working with a woman named Doreen”, Nicole gushes, “I’ve learned so much from her, about volunteering there and how to do things, but also personal things too, we talk about family matters and boyfriend issues. She’s 83 and to me she’s not like a grandma, she’s like a best friend.”
Hmm…anybody else kind of dying to meet Doreen?
Nicole’s mom, Elke Cameron, was her inspiration to begin volunteering. On disability and unable to work, Elke wanted to find a way to contribute to the community and so she began volunteering at the Community Police station. “She believes in the ‘pay it forward’ philosophy”, says Nicole.
Elke enjoyed volunteering so much she encouraged Nicole to join her, telling her about the great experience she could get and all the wonderful people she would meet. Nicole thought it would be a good way for them to spend some time together. “I thought I’d go in with her and it would be something we could do together on Thursday nights”.
So how did Thursday nights turn into five days a week?
When Nicole was laid off from her job she began volunteering full time, and she loves it so much she’s hoping to stay on and begin working in the office at the Main Detachment. “That would be my dream, I would love that. Every time I’m there I learn something new, have new experiences. Every day I come home with stories to tell, I’m learning new programs and learning about people around the world”.
Nicole encourages potential volunteers, “Everybody needs help. Communities need help everywhere, there are so many opportunities and you get so much out of it! Plus sometimes it’s just nice to get out of the house” she laughs. “I do it because I truly enjoy it”.
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I got to meet Nicole at the PoCo Recognition Awards. I went over to congratulate her, and to see if she’d be interested in being profiled for our blog (she was!). As I approached, Jodie, the Manager of Volunteers for the PoCo Community Police Station, jumped up to warn me off: no poaching her volunteer! Volunteers are a valuable resource for an organization. Nicole, if you ever wonder if you’re making a difference, just remember Jodie’s face when she thought I was on the hunt!