Volunteer Wave Youth Create Handmade Blankets for BC SPCA Animal Adoptions

Last year, Volunteer Wave members Jenny and Han stepped into leadership roles and launched a volunteer project within their school community. Blending their interests in crocheting, teaching, and animal welfare, they created a partnership between the Captain Scott Legacy Society’s Volunteer Wave program, the BC SPCA (British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) club, and crochet club at Killarney Secondary School.

Together, they taught fellow students how to crochet cozy 2 ft x 2 ft blankets that would later be donated to the Burnaby BC SPCA. These handmade blankets will accompany adopted animals as they begin their journeys with new families—adding a thoughtful and personal touch to the adoption process. In total, students crafted four blankets and eight decorative placemats for adopting families.

We’re incredibly proud of the high school students who generously dedicated their time to learning a new skill and using it to make an animal’s adoption day extra special. A heartfelt thank you goes to Jenny and Han, now Grade 12 students, for their initiative, creativity, and leadership!

In addition to the handmade pieces, Captain Scott Legacy Society was also able to provide further material donations to support the Burnaby BC SPCA’s operations. Using leftover funds from a previous online fundraiser, we contributed:

• Four 50” x 60” cotton-rich throw blankets

• Two 100-pack boxes of latex-free, blue vinyl disposable gloves

• 50 permanent markers in assorted and neutral colours

• Eight bottles of concentrated dishwashing liquid

Donations were delivered on February 13, 2026—just ahead of Valentine’s Day. It was a heartwarming way to begin a long weekend centred on love, family, and care. This project beautifully reflects what Volunteer Wave is all about. We believe volunteering doesn’t always have to look traditional; sometimes it starts with a hobby, a creative idea, or a simple desire to help. By empowering youth to lead initiatives rooted in their own interests, we create low-barrier opportunities that are meaningful, personal, and community-driven. Jenny and Han’s project is a wonderful example of how leadership can grow organically when young people are given space to imagine, organize, and take action.

We feel privileged to support our community in a variety of ways. While hands-on animal volunteering can require more specialized training and are more limited, we’re grateful for the many creative paths that still allow us to contribute—through artistry, thoughtful donations, collaboration, and youth-led leadership.

Interested in supporting animal causes? Check out our new partnership with the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) in Richmond and join us for an upcoming visit to their Cat Sanctuary!