As we wrap up National Volunteer Week, we say thank you to all our amazing First Westers who lead, volunteer and make their communities brighter.
Happy National Volunteer Week!
If you’ve been following along, you learned about fried, poached, and scrambled – egg preferences, that is. We think it aligns with the universe on the final day of our volunteer series, our final spotlight volunteer likes her eggs all the ways!
Staying in the Island Savings a division of First West Credit Union region, we introduce you to Tanya.
Growing up in Parksville, Tanya always wanted to live elsewhere. Now she lives in Nanaimo and wishes she lived in Parksville! Murphy’s Law is often at work in most unusual ways.
Since 2020, Tanya has had a standing-order volunteer shift at Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank in Nanaimo every Friday. She began in the warehouse sorting donations and has since moved to the weekly distribution centre where the food recipients come to select their food hamper items.
In a word, volunteering is all about connection for Tanya. Many office workers became remote office workers at the onset of the pandemic. Tanya was no exception, and she began to miss the daily exchanges with her colleagues. “Being a regular at a distribution centre allows me to work with others who have a passion for helping the community,” she shares. “It provided me with that sense of team and connection.”
Connection with the food bank recipients has become equally important as she sees many of the same faces, providing a remarkable opportunity for engagement on a personal level. As Tanya says, “we all thrive on more connection and volunteering makes me feel connected to my community. It feels so good to spend time making a difference and connecting with the recipients, who are always so grateful.”
We asked Tanya if she could have any career, what would she do. Turns out she would run a co-op that provides a community garden, space for a farmer’s market and an education space for teaching essential skills, including a financial literacy component. We think that’s pretty rad.
We see your volunteer heart on full display as you lead well in your community, Tanya. We thank you and celebrate your commitment to and care for your Island neighbours.
Happy National Volunteer Week!
If you’ve been following along, you learned about fried, poached, and scrambled – egg preferences, that is. We think it aligns with the universe on the final day of our volunteer series, our final spotlight volunteer likes her eggs all the ways!
Staying in the Island Savings a division of First West Credit Union region, we introduce you to Tanya.
Growing up in Parksville, Tanya always wanted to live elsewhere. Now she lives in Nanaimo and wishes she lived in Parksville! Murphy’s Law is often at work in most unusual ways.
Since 2020, Tanya has had a standing-order volunteer shift at Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank in Nanaimo every Friday. She began in the warehouse sorting donations and has since moved to the weekly distribution centre where the food recipients come to select their food hamper items.
In a word, volunteering is all about connection for Tanya. Many office workers became remote office workers at the onset of the pandemic. Tanya was no exception, and she began to miss the daily exchanges with her colleagues. “Being a regular at a distribution centre allows me to work with others who have a passion for helping the community,” she shares. “It provided me with that sense of team and connection.”
Connection with the food bank recipients has become equally important as she sees many of the same faces, providing a remarkable opportunity for engagement on a personal level. As Tanya says, “we all thrive on more connection and volunteering makes me feel connected to my community. It feels so good to spend time making a difference and connecting with the recipients, who are always so grateful.”
We asked Tanya if she could have any career, what would she do. Turns out she would run a co-op that provides a community garden, space for a farmer’s market and an education space for teaching essential skills, including a financial literacy component. We think that’s pretty rad.
We see your volunteer heart on full display as you lead well in your community, Tanya. We thank you and celebrate your commitment to and care for your Island neighbours.