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One of my favourite moments from the 2010 Olympics was watching Betty Fox proudly carrying a corner of the Olympic flag at the Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver.  Although Mrs. Fox was joined by hockey star Bobby Orr, singer Anne Murray, racecar driver Jacques Villeneuve, gold medallist figure skater Barbara Ann Scott, Senator Romeo Dallaire, astronaut Julie Payette and Emmy Award-winning actor Donald Sutherland, it was Betty Fox I was proudest to see representing Canadian heroism.

It was with great sadness that I found out Mrs. Fox had passed away on June 17.  Just recently our blog ran a story from the Terry Fox Foundation, summarizing the amazing work of this organization — work that started with Terry, but was moved forward by the tireless efforts of his mother.  Every year when I was growing up, I was part of a Terry Fox run.  In the 31 years since Terry’s first step, the foundation that bears his name has raised over $550 million towards cancer research.  And in that time, countless lives have been saved by the awareness he raised and the advances in treatment that funding has supported.

Thank you, Mrs. Fox, for everything you have done for us.  If you would like to offer your condolences to the Fox family, you can do so on the Terry Fox Foundation website.

We lost the Cup.  That was painful, whether you were watching the game on TV, in the stands, or at any of the city’s big screen gathering places. But watching how fast disappointment turned to rage and rioting was heartbreaking for the thousands of fans who just want to enjoy hockey, win or lose.

We’ve all seen the coverage, so I don’t want to belabour the ugliness of it.  But there were many signs of citizen engagement during and after the riot, and that gives me heart and hope.  Facebook became a gathering place for everyone who wanted to speak out against the violence, join together to help identify the culprits, and clean up after the mess.

The Post-Riot Clean-Up event was one of the first.  Over 17,000 signed up to attend, and it looks like they may have all made it down!   The pictures of the Canuck fans cleaning up on Thursday morning are inspiring:  resolute faces, determined to show the best of our city.  If you were thinking you could wander downtown this afternoon and help with the clean-up, you were out of luck:  there wasn’t a scrap of torn jersey or cigarette butt left to be found on our streets.

Everyone helping the Clean Up Effort

Clean Up of Burned Vancouver Police Car

Bakers serving cookies to the Riot Clean Up crew

And more pictures from CTV’s coverage.

Reading the @VancouverClean twitter feed just makes me want to cry happy tears.

A variety of sites are up on Facebook where you can post pictures of the rioters and ask others to tag those photos to help identify the criminals. If you took photos or videos of violence, vandalism or looting at the riot downtown, the Vancouver Police are asking you to send that evidence to robbery@vpd.ca.

“Volunteers are those citizens who believe that something is out of kilter between individuals and society, and believe they have an obligation and an opportunity to do something about it now.  They do not believe they should sit back and let nature take its course.  For whatever reason, vounteers do not feel powerless to effect change.  They choose to get involved and to give the perceived problem their best shot within the constraints of their time, energy, knowledge and skills.”

- Jane Mallory Park in “Meaning Well Is Not Enough:  Perspectives on Volunteering”

Jeong Hyun Kim: Hard at work in the artifact collection.

Volunteers are the heart of the Port Moody Station Museum. Started by a group of volunteers, the Port Moody Heritage Society worked to purchase the former Port Moody train station and turn it into a community Museum in the late 1970s. Over the years, volunteers have contributed to important Museum projects like the purchase and renovation of the train car and the establishment of a heritage garden.

Today, the Museum has over 80 volunteers who help with events, maintain the artifact collection, tend the heritage garden and work on our board of directors. As a charitable organization with a small staff, the Museum relies on volunteers to offer many of its services.

Today, Museum Coordinator, Rebecca Clarke notes that volunteers who want to help at the Museum are often new to Canada and are looking to learn about their community and improve their language skills. While the usual volunteer positions aren’t generally a good fit, Rebecca believes there is an opportunity here. The Museum is currently seeking funding to create a unique volunteer program for new Canadians. The program would teach new Canadians about the history of immigrants in the Tri Cities and give them skills in museum interpretation so they can share their knowledge with others. The hope is that the Museum can offer international visitors and other newcomers the chance to learn about Port Moody in a variety of languages. Volunteers would gain knowledge and skills while the Museum would be able to reach a new audience. It is a win for everyone.

The Port Moody Station Museum is located at 2734 Murray Street, next to Rocky Point Park in Port Moody. For more information about the Museum and its volunteer positions, please visit www.portmoodymuseum.org.

Also seen in the Tri City News, April 6, 2011

Young Squadder Helps Fish Thrive at the Fingerling Festival

Lives are busy, but giving back to community is still a priority for many Tri Cities families.  The Community Volunteer Connections Flying Squad has been evolving into a fun and practical way for families to volunteer together, in all kinds of ways.

The Flying Squad has connected families to volunteer opportunities that range from:

• Helping renovate the SHARE’d Treasures Thrift Store
• Postering for upcoming events throughout the community (dropping off posters in places that they are familiar with and learning where new fun places are in the community!)
• Releasing salmon fingerlings raised by local hatcheries into local creeks
• Helping out at all sorts of community events and festivals, , including setting up or cleaning up after they had fun at the event
• Buddy Reading with seniors at senior care facilities

“We’re really excited about the Buddy Reading volunteer opportunity that ran over the summer at Burquitlam Lions Care Centre,” says Lynn Heinrich, Program Coordinator for the Flying Squad.  The seniors love having the kids read to them, but they also get to help kids improve their reading skills. Parents want their kids to keep up their reading over the summer.  It can be hard to tell who is doing the volunteering!  The Flying Squad hopes to expand the Buddy Reading volunteer opportunity in the upcoming summer.

Kids are a great volunteer asset at community event.  One Flying Squad parent tells her story:  “My child and I were assigned a carnival game at the SHARE Hallowe’en event, where people had to throw balls into the mouth of a plywood clown.  Of course when they missed, the balls bounced everywhere!  My son had a great time chasing them down, and I didn’t have to run around at all. “

Why volunteer with your kids?  “We want to teach our kids social responsibility, and volunteering together lets them see that giving back is just part of life.”

To find out how your family can get involved, contact Lynn Heinrich at 604-529-5143.  Join online at www.volunteerconnections.net/flyingsquad.asp

“Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue.  It’s got to keep going without me.”

These were the words spoken by Terry Fox on July 10^th 1980.  His Marathon of Hope had captured the hearts of a nation and people everywhere wanted to be a part of helping Terry to realize his dream of a world free from cancer.

31 years after Terry began his historic Run on April 12^th 1980, the Canadian public, and the world, has never forgotten Terry’s story and his legacy lives on in each and every single person that has taken up Terry’s torch to keep his dream alive.

Few Canadians would ever have imagined that the Terry Fox Run would one day mark its 31^st year.  The longevity of the Run is a great testament to Canadians determination to see Terry’s dream fulfilled, and to make a lasting contribution to the health of our families and ourselves.  We continue to be inspired by all who share in Terry’s dream and by the hope and inspiration he has left with each and every one of us.

The Terry Fox Foundation exists today because of the passion and dedication of an amazing group of volunteers from the west coast of our country all the way to the east coast and in countries around the world where Terry Fox Runs take place. Each and every single Run that takes place is organized and run by a volunteer who give their gift of time and energy for nothing more than a simple thank you and the knowledge that they are making a difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

Here in the British Columbia and Yukon office of The Terry Fox Foundation, we have more than 100 Terry Fox Runs that take place around our region and it is the dedication of these volunteers that make the Run possible in the communities where they live. They provide an opportunity for the community to come out and share in helping to keep Terry’s Marathon of Hope alive and thriving today.  They put on these events with no budget from us but with the support from the communities where they live.  There are also more than 1,400 schools in our region that also take part in sharing Terry’s dream with our youth.

The Terry Fox Foundation continues to exist today because of these amazing volunteers and we would be nowhere without them.

Volunteers at the Port Coquitlam office

Here in the provincial office in Terry’s hometown of Port Coquitlam, we are deeply thankful to the office volunteers that continue to come in week after week to give of their time and passion for Terry’s dream that allow our full time staff of only three people to do the work that needs to be done. They are an amazing group of individuals that have become a part of our Terry Fox family. Many of them have been here for more than five years and one very dedicated young woman has been here for the past 14 years…simply because they believe in Terry and his dream.

The Terry Fox Foundation firmly believes in our obligation to be fully transparent in all matters relating to fiscal reporting. With only 3¢ of every dollar raised going towards administration, and 10¢ going towards fundraising costs, The Foundation is an industry leading in fundraising accountability.  It is the dedication of our volunteers that allow us to continue to keep our expenses low so that our generous donors can be assured that the donations they are giving are making their way to cancer research.

Simply put, we would be nowhere without our Terry Fox volunteers.  They are the true Terry Foxers and the reason that 31 years later, Terry’s dream lives on.

Thank you to every single one them who play a part in finding a cure for cancer and in keep Terry’s dream burning brightly.

– Donna White, Provincial Director

PDF:  Terry Fox runs from around the world

Living in Emergency plays at the Vancity Theatre Thursday April 21 7:15PM

National Volunteer Week wouldn’t be complete without recognizing the contributions of Canadian volunteers who see the whole world as an opportunity to make a difference.  Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders sends doctors and other medical professionals overseas to provide “medical help to people caught in many kinds of catastrophes, including armed conflicts, disasters such as floods and earthquakes, epidemics of disease and malnutrition crises.”

On Thursday April 21 at the Vancity Theatre is a screening of “Living in Emergency:  Stories of Doctors Without Borders”  Directed by Mark Hopkins, “Living In Emergency” is the first time Medecins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders has given a documentary crew uncensored access to its field operations.  The documentary is filmed in war-torn Congo and post-conflict Liberia and tells the stories of four doctors as they struggle to provide emergency medical care under extreme conditions.

If this film leaves you hungry for more, the April issue of Outpost Magazine features their annual Global Volunteer Guide, including a directory of 38 organizations that send Canadian volunteers overseas, and tips and stories from volunteers abroad.  Most stores with a decent magazine selection carry Outpost Magazine.

And check out our previous blog post on international volunteering.

Port Coquitlam Celebrate Volunteers for National Volunteer Week

The City of Port Coquitlam loves its volunteers.  To honour volunteers during National Volunteer Week, and to get commuters thinking about volunteering themselves, the City of Port Coquitlam put up a billboard celebrating volunteers at one of the busiest intersections in Port Coquitlam:  Shaughnessy & Lougheed Highway.

Hundreds of cars a day will see Port Coquitlam's Volunteer Recognition Billboard

When I went to snap some pictures on my way to the Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Award Ceremony, it was the first time I’d had the pleasure of experiencing the crazy-awesome overpass at this intersection.  It’s like a giant green roller coaster!

But my favourite part of the overpass, apart from the billboard, is in the details.  Local schoolchildren provided the art that decorates the overpass, with at least 20 unique pieces, like this one:

Children Around the World

Hanging out on the overpass was a great start to a great night of celebrating volunteers.

Overpass or Roller Coaster?  What do YOU think?

Overpass or Roller Coaster?

Sold Out House at the Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony

Judges for the Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Awards had their work cut out for them:  a record-breaking 42 nominations were received. Judges were last year’s award recipients because, as Mayor Greg Moore said “that’s how volunteering works!” Once you start, you just can’t stop. Even if you want to. But why would you want to?

Those are juggling clubs!

The theme for the event was “Volunteers Juggle It All”, complete with juggling clubs in the floral bouquets.  Fitting in with the theme, our evening’s entertainer was Juggling Genius Alex Elixer, who performed a juggling masterpiece that featured audience volunteers, fire, a machete, a tiny tricycle, toilet paper, and oven mitts. Now let your imagination fly with that!

But the real stars of the night were the volunteers.

And the award recipients are…

Arts, Heritage & Cultural Awareness

Marilyn Sander receives Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Award 2011

Marilyn Sander volunteers numerous hours for the Port Coquitlam Theatre Society, Dancing with Our Stars Organizing Committee, Port Coquitlam Spirit Committee,  and other groups. Marilyn, who works at the Trophy Centre in PoCo, had no idea her co-workers were secretly imprinting a trophy for her! Thank you, Marilyn.

Caring and Safety

Doreen Gilbert has volunteered more than 2,300 hours (!!!) with the Community Police Station, including working in the office, helping at commumity events, and making presentations to seniors. Thank you, Doreen.

Environmental Protection & Enhancement

Dianne Ramage has been active with the Maple Creek Streamkeepers for 13 years, along with volunteering with Burke Mountain Naturalists, Friends of the DeBoville Slough, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and other organizations. She is a third generation environmentalist, and her nominator said it best: “I don’t think there’s one hour a day Dianne’s not thinking about how to protect nature. Thank you, Dianne.

Sports & Recreation

Gord McIntosh dedicates countless hours to the Port Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse Association, including serving as president, managing tournaments, coaching, being head referee (that’s a dangerous job, as you know if you’ve ever watched lacrosse), liaising with the City and attending numerous meetings (now, that’s dedication!). Thank you, Gord.

Youth Programs

Jamie Fulton is volunteer School Board Chair at Hope Lutheran Christian School, and spends countless hours on administrative and governance tasks, meetings, committees, and school events. Thank you, Jamie.

U21 (Outstanding Volunteer Under the Age of 21)

Tamara Fader, 18, has been the Scouts Coho Area Youth Commissioner since 2009 and willingly takes on leadership, administrative, promotion and mentoring duties. She also volunteers with Emergency Preparedness Communications. 15 Scouts Leaders were nominated this year for Volunteer Recognition Awards, and every nominee clapped loud and long when Tamara took the stage. Thank you, Tamara.

Lifetime Volunteer Award

Kathryn Swalwell was the first ever recipient of a Port Coquitlam Lifetime Volunteer Award. This award winner is selected by City Council for their outstanding lifetime volunteer contribution to Port Coquitlam. Kathryn was moved by the difficulty that residents moving out of Riverview Hospital into community-based boarding homes were having. Although living at Riverview Hospital for 20  to 40 years had isolated residents from the community geographically, moving into community did not solve their social isolation. Beginning in 1969, Kathryn began working in an informal social program for Boarding Home residents, and then became the first Executive Director of the New View Society, putting in as many unpaid hours as paid. Although Kathryn is “supposed to be retired” she is still at New View every day, stepping in when work needs doing.

Coming up on stage, Kathryn made sure she took the opportunity to remind us all that New View has started construction on a new 11,800 square foot centre that will provide community services to support individuals, families and businesses impacted by mental illness, as well semi-independent housing for 10 individuals. Donations are, as always, very welcome!

Kathryn was clear that she didn’t earn her lifetime award on her own:  ”I didn’t do it by myself. I have a little knack for ‘appointing’ volunteers. I started with my family – my husband, daughters, and eventually granddaughters often get appointed to projects they know nothing about! I moved on to neighbours, friends. I take advantage of people who never learned how to say ‘no’!” Kathryn also thanked the excellent staff at New View, as well as their clients. “Our clients are daily challenged by living with mental illness, but they inspire us by continuing to live full lives and contribute to their community.”

Thank you, Kathryn.

Thank you, volunteers.