Inspiring Stories And Articles About Volunteers In BC

Check this space for stories and articles that profile and relate to volunteers, their experiences, and achievements.

March 5, 2001

A day without Volunteers…

March 5, 2001 British Columbia…. streets are in chaos, hospitals are overcrowded with hundreds of patients left unattended, libraries are closed, hikers are missing in the snow covered mountains and local police are working overtime and there's no one to drive the kids to school. The Province of British Columbia is at a standstill.

This was the grim reality of the day. It was a day without volunteers.
Imagine a day, where essential services were temporarily suspended and simple random acts of kindness go by the wayside. All because there were no volunteers.

Many community services are heavily reliant on volunteers in BC. Over one million British Columbians (about 32 % of the population), 15 years of age and older, volunteer their time and skills. Volunteers in BC annually donate more than 169 million hours of their time, the equivalent of $2.7 billion.

BC's volunteer community is diverse, ranging from structured volunteer time at organized charities to soccer coaches to groups working to protect the environment. Acts of individual neighbourly support to communities coping with crisis.

More than the activities the thousands of volunteers engage in, they bring something that is more precious in addition to their time, energy, dedication and enthusiasm. Volunteers are the heart and soul of the community. Volunteering is about commitment and caring. It's about helping others; it's about working together with others who share a common goal. It's about the difference that individuals can make in the life of the community as well as their own.

"International Year of Volunteers 2001 was a wonderful opportunity to not only celebrate volunteers in BC, but also a time that promoted the value of volunteer contributions to individuals, communities and to society as a whole," said Carol Biely, Past President of Volunteer BC.

Just look at the person next to you and chances are at some point in their life the person has given their time in a volunteer activity. Generosity is fundamental to the concept of volunteering; generosity of material resources, of time, knowledge, thought and physical support. In today's world we all commonly face the same issues. The increased pace of life, the significant challenges and competition individuals face in their careers, in caring for family and others, thus making time to volunteer being increasingly difficult. And yet, volunteering is the ultimate exercise in optimism - a fundamental commitment to our future; an active form of good citizenship.

A day without volunteers would be very dark day indeed. Thank goodness, we will always have our province's greatest asset: volunteers. As thousands of us wake up each morning and go about with our day at work, at school, or at play, we know in some way our activities are touched by a volunteer.

February 2001
Every year, a select group of Canadians are honoured for the volunteer efforts by being named to the Order of Canada. On February 14, 2001 Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, announced 98 new appointments. This list includes Geraldine Braak of Powell River, BC, appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for Voluntary Service.

Geraldine Braak, O.C., O.B.C. (Voluntary Service)
Powell River, BC

She champions improved quality of life for blind, visually impaired and other disabled persons. Her advocacy spans local, provincial, national and international issues. Legally blind herself, she ascended to the top level of the Canadian Council of the Blind, serving for eight years as National President. Currently, she represents Canada at the World Blind Union. At home, her determination and energy have been manifested in countless improvements to her community. Though her work continues to take her around the world, she remains President of the local peer support group which she founded.

Related Link
More information about the Order of Canada