Saturday Bingo at Whole Way House's Veterans' Manor in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside is always a treat– and the residents make sure you know it from the moment you arrive. As our volunteers walk down the street toward the black gate of the seniors' residence, residents are already outside waiting to greet them. They offer a warm hello, we ask if they're coming to Bingo, and they tell us: “Of course!” We let them know we'll see them inside at 1 PM on the dot, then they actually follow us in right away (notably not at 1 PM). They settle into the activity area and wait patiently, as we get everything set up for the game. These fun, happy exchanges are always a warm reminder of why we need to keep coming back. On April 25th, 2026, a small group of regular and new Volunteer Wave members joined the all-male, mostly veterans, senior community at Veterans' Manor for a full hour of Bingo. Avery, one of our Volunteer Wave members, took on the role of Bingo caller for the day. When the computer was accidentally refreshed mid-game, the residents took it (mostly) in stride; it was a small hiccup that kept things interesting without slowing anyone down. People joked around with our volunteers for the unexpected change, but kept it light. The room refocused shortly after. Residents sipped on their personalized coffee orders and nibbled on tea cookies, and the game carried on. It was a quietly joyful afternoon. Concentration was high, conversation was warm, and laughter and applause broke out whenever someone called Bingo– which happened more than usual! Many residents won multiple times throughout the hour, walking away with several prizes and plenty of bragging rights. As the summer season approaches, we're looking forward to hosting more events at Veterans’ Manor. We can’t wait to welcome more volunteers who are on work and school breaks to join us for more Saturday Bingo and Coffee and Chat events at Veterans' Manor. There are always more stories to share and more connections to be made. Keep an eye on Bloomerang for upcoming opportunities to spend time with some of Vancouver's older and wiser generations this summer!

It's been a little while since we've shared an update from Belkin House, but we've certainly been keeping busy. Over the past couple of months, our volunteers have continued returning to lend a hand in the kitchen on March 15, March 29, April 5, and April 19. Every visit has been filled with great food, great conversations, and the opportunity to support an organization that means so much to us. On each visit, we worked alongside the incredible Chef Mom, getting straight to work preparing meals for the day ahead. We broke down cauliflower, cut cakes for the residents, chopped and prepped a variety of vegetables, and made sure the kitchen stayed clean and organized throughout the day. There is something grounding about the rhythm of kitchen work—the chopping, the stirring, the teamwork—and it never takes long before everyone finds their groove. One of the best parts of these kitchen shifts is seeing friendships grow. Whether it's someone's first time volunteering or their tenth, people naturally connect while working side by side. At Captain Scott, bringing people together is always at the heart of what we do, and the kitchen has a wonderful way of making that happen. When it came time to serve, the menu was one to be proud of. Mashed potatoes, hamburger steak with gravy, sautéed vegetables, and fresh salad made their way to residents who were clearly happy to see it all. The smiles said everything. Throughout the day we heard "thank you for doing this" and "the food is amazing" more times than we could count, and every single time it meant so much. That kind of gratitude never gets old. We are also endlessly grateful for Chef Mom, whose skill, patience, and warmth make every kitchen shift feel like a joy rather than a task. By the end of each visit, we gathered around the table to enjoy a meal together, chat about the day, get to know one another a little better, and finish up by cleaning the kitchen before heading home. Those moments together are just as meaningful as the volunteering itself. Belkin House holds a truly special place in the Captain Scott family. Every visit gives us the chance to support an incredible organization, connect with residents, and build lasting relationships with both the people we serve and the volunteers beside us. We're grateful for every opportunity to return, and we're already looking forward to our next visit.

April 18th was a full day for the Volunteer Wave community, with one group tackling a trail clean up and invasive species removal in Burnaby alongside Web of Life and Wildscaping Our Neighbourhood), and another group spending their Saturday in the kitchen, cooking up something warm and nourishing for the visitors of The Dugout. For those unfamiliar, The Dugout is a welcoming "living room" space right at the heart of East Hastings in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. It’s a place where community members can drop in for snacks, refreshments, and a sense of care and belonging. After several soup-making sessions at the Watari community kitchen, we've found our rhythm. We've learned that keeping the focus on one main recipe lets the team work with more intention. We zone in on what’s important: rescuing surplus food, getting creative with what's available, and producing something that earns glowing reviews from the people we're cooking for. This time, under the guidance of volunteer Chef Chloe (who also happens to be our Visual Communications Manager!), a team of nine volunteers crafted a creative, rustic Italian wedding soup using food surplus rescued from large retailers including Costco. Several of our volunteers were brand new to the Volunteer Wave community and to the soup-making experience, but they dove right in. From dropping ingredients into the pot to stirring, taste-testing, and packaging the soup for transport, new and returning volunteers worked side by side to get it done. Along with the soup, we brought an abundance of other rescued food to The Dugout, courtesy of Heart Tattoo Society, who handles the transport of rescued food to Watari Counselling and Social Services– an official Food Hub for the City of Vancouver. A special thank you to Roman Ansari, who always generously lets us take what we need to give back to our volunteers and the people we serve. Volunteers who stayed for the delivery got to see The Dugout in full action, from handing out snacks, coffee, to giving away donated bread and groceries to DTES community members. It's a true reminder of why this work matters, and where our hard work in the kitchen actually goes– right to the people in the neighbourhood who need it most. Soup-making is always a full production, from collecting rescued ingredients, to cooking, to delivering everything back to The Dugout to be served the next day. Wholesome, well-rounded, and deeply worthwhile, just how we like it. As we head into the warmer months, we'll be expanding our kitchen repertoire beyond soups to include more seasonal and refreshing options. Think sandwiches, salads, fried rice, and custard pies, all made with rescued food. Good food shouldn't go to waste, and nutritious meals should be a right for everyone. We cook for The Dugout every month, so check out Bloomerang to join us at the next one!

On April 18th, Captain Scott Legacy Society had the privilege of partnering with Web of Life and Wildscaping Our Neighborhood Society to tackle environmental restoration at Montrose Park. Led by Carl Ronka from Web of Life, alongside Prentice Lee from Wildscaping Our Neighborhood Society, we came together with one shared goal: to remove invasive species and restore the natural health of our local park. As we worked through the day, we focused on two tasks: invasive plant removal and uncovering the extent of trash that had accumulated in the area. Tires, wooden planks, even a mattress emerged from the landscape, revealing just how much our neighbourhood needs ongoing care and attention. It was sobering, but it strengthened our resolve. What made the day truly special was the community response. Locals stopped by to appreciate our efforts, ask questions, and engage in conversations about environmental stewardship. Their interest and gratitude reminded us that this work matters, and that people genuinely care about the future of Montrose Park and the residential neighbourhood of Burnaby Heights as a whole. Prentice’s expertise about invasive species was invaluable, and our team learned so much from his knowledge and passion. As with every Captain Scott Legacy adventure, we discovered that teamwork is the foundation of real change. This experience reinforced what we already knew: there's much more work ahead, and we can't wait to return to Montrose Park to continue making a difference together. Next event: May 30th! Same place, same time. Sign up on Bloomerang and see you there! *Photo from Alltrails.com

On April 11th, our Volunteer Wave community had the pleasure of joining a large-scale community clean-up in Coquitlam, BC, organized by local media and marketing company Boro and Beyond. Covering Town Centre Park, the Coquitlam River, and Glen Park, the event brought together over 100 community-minded volunteers from 10 AM to 2 PM. We were invited into the event through our wonderful Community Partner, Web of Life, an environmental stewardship non-profit based in the Lower Mainland. Together, our Volunteer Wave community, Web of Life, and the team at Boro and Beyond made for an incredible collaboration that we are so grateful to have been a part of. Armed with free garbage pickers to take home (thanks to the generous event sponsors!) and garbage bags in hand, volunteers spread out across the large area in small groups. Our Volunteer Wave community and Web of Life teamed up and created a large 15-person group. Guided by Carl from Web of Life, we made a 15-minute trek along the parks and across the bridge to two garbage hotspots he had identified through satellite imaging. Even with the many similar clean ups we’ve been a part of, what we found was still striking: an abandoned encampment and what appeared to be a long-time illegal dumping site, filled with wordsearch books, journals, pots, pans, mattresses, tarps, carpets, tents, an LED "open" sign, batteries, and more. A small, impromptu group of our volunteers even went on a mini adventure hunting down used tires hidden deep in the trails– it was a bit of an escape room experience all on its own! They successfully found two tires (Great job, Serena, Sybil, Peter, and Long!). Between the large items– mattresses, sheet metal, wires, ropes, and metal rods– and over 15 bags of garbage collected, our group made a serious dent. And when everyone gathered back at the park Amphitheatre at the end of the event, we were blown away to learn that other volunteers had collected over 4,000 cigarette butts and other litter, from the parks alone. To wrap up the event, exciting door prizes from local businesses were handed out to some lucky recipients. Appreciation prizes were well-deserved to recognize the volunteers’ hard work! None of this would have been possible without the incredible husband-and-wife team behind Boro and Beyond, the support of the City of Coquitlam, and the Indigenous Elders who welcomed us into the clean-up space. A huge thank you to all the sponsors who made the day possible: Infinity Properties, Webild, Townline, Return-It, Coquitlam Search and Rescue, DMack Driving School, What's On! Coquitlam, Food Link Society, Cassandra Cake Co., and Rocky Point Ice Cream. And, the momentum doesn't stop here! With a Neighbourhood Small Grant from the City of Coquitlam on the horizon, we are already planning our next outdoor clean-up at Hoy Creek on Sunday, June 21st, 2026. Keep an eye on Bloomerang to reserve your spot. The more, the merrier!

On April 4th, we had the chance to come together near Edmonds Station in Burnaby alongside Carl from Web of Life for a community cleanup around Byrne Creek. With over 18 volunteers joining us to care for this clean up, it turned out to be a day none of us will forget anytime soon. From the start, the energy was just right. The sun was out, the air was fresh, and it didn't take long before new friendships were formed. Some volunteers came extra prepared and brought their own garbage pickers and trash bags.These moments of dedication to the clean up remind us that a cleanup is never just about the trash. It is about the people who show up, and come together as a community during the cleanup. We were also so glad to see so many new faces out with us. Of our 18 volunteers, 8 were joining Captain Scott for the very first time. For many of them, this was their very first experience in a community cleanup. It was amazing to see their many various reactions to what they found on the trails throughout the cleanup. They were engaged throughout the whole cleanup and became super determined to make an impact. We split into 3 different areas around Byrne Creek and it quickly became clear just how many things had no business being in the park. We pulled out mattresses, a shopping cart, and even a carpet that looked like it had been quietly decomposing since the 80s. The deeper we went, the more we uncovered. A lot of what we found had been buried or tucked away, hidden from plain sight. All of this trash was slowly affecting the soil and ecosystem around it. By the end of the day, we had filled over 20 large bags of garbage. Seeing them all gathered one in place really allowed our team to see the impact we made that day. It was once scattered and forgotten across the park. Now became a clear path for nature to blossom and flourish. It's hard to put into words what that sight does for you, but anyone who's been part of a cleanup knows exactly what we mean. None of it would have been possible without every single volunteer who gave their time that day. This was truly an eye-opening experience, a chance to see firsthand what's hiding just beneath the surface of the spaces so many of us walk through and love. We're grateful to Carl and the entire Web of Life team for making this partnership possible, and even more grateful to our community for continuing to show up and care. Let's keep cleaning up and keep showing up for our green spaces. We can't wait to do even more together in the months ahead.

There's something deeply human about making food for someone you've never met. A group of 8 of us recently made our way to Watari Kitchen, right in the heart of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, to do exactly that — and it turned out to be one of the most grounding, rewarding experiences we've had as a team. The mission was simple but meaningful: make soup. Not just any soup though. A single batch from Watari Kitchen can last an entire week and serve up to 50 people through the Dugout. Knowing that made every chop, every stir, and every caramelized onion feel like it carried a little more weight. Together, we set out to make two soups — a hearty potato soup and a classic tomato soup. Vegetables were flying: peppers, broccoli, potatoes, and everything in between. The kitchen was alive with the kind of focused, happy chaos that only happens when a group of people are working toward something they genuinely care about. Leading the charge were our two head chefs, Adam and Chloe, who brought the experience and the calm that the rest of us amateur cooks very much needed. And when it came to caramelizing the onions — something that sounds simple but absolutely is not — the talented chefs at Watari stepped in to guide us through it. Their knowledge and generosity made all the difference, and we're grateful for the way they welcomed us into their space. Once the soups were made and the kitchen was spotless, everything was packed up and sent off to the Dugout, ready to be served throughout the week. It was a collaborative effort from start to finish, and the thought of those meals reaching people in the community made the whole experience feel complete. None of it would have happened without our incredible volunteers, and this one calls for a very special mention. Kristina came out that day despite dealing with a sore back, and she showed up fully — present, hardworking, and smiling throughout. That kind of commitment doesn't go unnoticed, and it speaks to exactly the kind of people who make Captain Scott what it is. Thank you to Watari Kitchen for opening your doors, to Adam and Chloe for keeping us on track, and to every single person who rolled up their sleeves and got cooking. See you at the next one.

Some acts of giving do not require gloves or garbage bags, just a little courage and a kind heart. Recently on March 25, a group of 5 of us made our way to the Canadian Blood Services location in Vancouver, right by BC Children's Hospital, to donate blood. Something worth knowing: According to Canadian Blood Service a single blood donation has the potential to help up to 3 lives. And if you happen to have Type O blood, you're a rare breed, a universal donor whose blood can help anyone. Walking in with that knowledge made the whole experience feel even more significant. Our volunteers showed up excited and ready, even if a few of them were just a little bit squeamish about the whole needle situation. That kind of courage showing up despite the nerves is exactly the spirit that makes this group so special. We did have one small issue on the day. Micheal, one of our volunteers who had been looking forward to his very first donation. However he was unable to participate after some medical checkups in the lead up to the event. But true to form, Micheal did not let that stop him from being there. He stepped into the role of moral support for Captain Scott, making sure every volunteer felt good,and stayed comfortable. He even ended up cheering them on throughout the whole process. It meant a lot, and honestly, the role suited him perfectly. At the end of the day, we all gathered and talked about experiences and why we love to volunteer. Everyone shared a little bit of their story: who they are, what brought them out, and why giving back matters to them. Those conversations are always vital to any event, we run since it brings people together and allows more time to really know the person behind the passion. This is what we mean when we talk about building community. Not just the action, but the connection that follows. Every event is a chance to meet someone new, to be reminded that you're not doing this alone. Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves that day literally and figuratively. And thank you to Michael for showing up in the best way he could. See you all at the next one.

On our latest cleanup on March 23, we teamed up with UBC Best Buddies for an afternoon out on the UBC campus. The skies were cloudy, but that did not stop anyone for even a second. Our group of 6 showed up ready to work, and the energy from the very start made it clear that a little grey weather was never going to get in the way of doing something good. As we made our way across campus, we were not alone out there. Dogs were out on their afternoon walks and seagulls were circling nearby, a good reminder of exactly why this kind of work matters. Wildlife and people share these spaces every single day, and the last thing we want is for curious animals to be getting into waste that has no place being there. We covered a lot of ground, walking all the way over to the student building where we stumbled upon what looked like an Iron Man inspired event in full swing. It was unexpected, it made us smile, and it absolutely did not slow us down. If anything, it added a little excitement to the day. The things we found told their own story. Soaked bags of trash that had clearly been sitting there for a while, various bits and pieces scattered along the way, and even a set of note cards condolences for whoever that belonged to I hope you passed your test! The deeper we looked, the more we found, and every single piece we picked up felt like a win for the campus and everyone who uses it. We wanted a special shoutout to Alex, a longtime volunteer with UBC Best Buddies. He was always so motivated throughout the whole clean up. From continuing to find pieces of garbage unknown to us all. To this enthusiasm for making UBC a better place. Also from engaging with every single member of the, ensuring no one felt left out. Volunteers like Alex personify what we strive for in our volunteers for Captain Scott. Thank you Alex! To close out the day, we took a well deserved moment to enjoy some snacks together as a team including a cookie from the student building. It was a chance to talk about what we accomplished, learn about each other a little bit more, and appreciate the people we got to do it alongside. A huge thank you to UBC Best Buddies for making this collaboration happen. Six people, one campus, and a whole lot of heart. We can't wait to do it again.

In the past few months, Volunteer Wave has been joining Saturday Bingo more and more often. At first, we stopped by once a month as a commitment of support towards our Community Partner, Whole Way House. Soon after, we found ourselves returning more frequently. Why? Because our volunteers at Volunteer Wave events actually want to come back and build the relationships they’ve started with the residents. Many regularly check to see when the next shifts will be posted and ask for more! With this encouragement, Volunteer Wave attended Saturday Bingo on March 7th and March 14th. Each time we return to Whole Way House’s Veterans Manor, we see the positive impact our continued presence makes. If you’re a returning volunteer, you may notice residents’ faces light up when they see you on the sidewalk. Some will stub out their cigarettes and come inside early, knowing you’ll soon be leading Bingo, making a fresh pot of coffee, and serving cookies and cakes soon. Inside, you might see a few residents watching TV, but they’ll quickly turn to say hello and ask you to remind them of your name. Slowly, more residents begin to gather in the program space, sitting around the tables or along the sides of the room, eagerly waiting for 1PM when the games begin. After sanitizing the tables and chairs, setting up the Bingo cards and markers, and serving food and drinks, everything is ready. That’s when the playful banter between the residents and the Bingo caller, now often one of our own volunteers, begins: “Bingo!” “But the first number hasn’t been called out yet!” “Did you get the number?” “Yes, the wrong number!” “What number do you need?” “I’m not telling you, because then it never gets called!” Then there’s the friendly competition between residents: “Are you winning?” “No, but what matters is that I have two more numbers than that guy.” It’s these conversations, chuckles, and lively moments that bring beautiful cheer to both the residents and the volunteers, even if only for two hours on a Saturday. Of course, the prizes help, but everyone is really there for the connection. You can tell, because even after the games end at 2:00PM and the volunteers begin cleaning up, residents linger nearby, continuing their conversations with the volunteers. At Volunteer Wave, we are grateful for little opportunities like this—moments where we can help prevent social isolation and bring joy to people’s lives, while residents enrich ours with stories of their lives as veterans, their travels, their children and loved ones, their stylish outfits, and even debates about which orange juice is the best orange juice. Volunteer Wave is excited to return for more Bingo at Veterans Manor in April. Check Bloomerang to see when we’ll be there next!

On February 28th, 2026, we had the chance to come together at the Brunette River Conservation Area alongside Web of Life and the Stoney Creek Environment Committee for a community cleanup. It turned out to be one of our biggest events yet, with over 30 volunteers joining us to help care for this important natural space and the river that runs through it. From the start, the energy was amazing. Some volunteers even brought their own equipment: garbage pickers, buckets, trash bags, and wheelbarrows, which made a huge difference. We also made sure everyone had what they needed by providing pickers, gloves, trash bags, snacks, and beverages. We wanted everyone to feel well equipped and comfortable so they could focus on making an impact while also enjoying the experience. We were especially grateful for the weather. It was a beautiful, sunny day, which helped us make the most of our time outdoors. Runners and cyclists passed by and cheered us on, and a few even stopped to ask what we were doing. Those small conversations meant a lot, it was a reminder that when people see positive action happening in their community, it sparks curiosity and care. To be able to cover more ground, we split into 3 groups and headed to different sections of the conservation area. On the way to one of the sites, one of our volunteers, Ally, discovered a small salamander tucked between one of the first piles of trash we found. Seeing wildlife living among debris reminded us exactly why this work matters; we share nature with so many different living things as well! A clean up not only helps nature breathe, but for the creatures living outside to breathe better, too. As the day went on, we filled over 45 large demolition bags. At the end of the day, we gathered every single bag into two main spots within the conservation area to be picked up. Seeing everything piled together was incredibly rewarding, what had once been scattered throughout the forest was now cleared away, a powerful moment for our community and a reminder of what a group of committed people can accomplish together in just a few hours. We found wires, sheets of metal, mattresses, blankets, parts of bicycles, and a surprising amount of clothing. One of the most unexpected finds was a MacBook laptop, discovered by two of our youth volunteers at the start. The more we dug, the more we uncovered. A lot of the waste had been buried underground and had already started decomposing. We were relieved to remove it before it could further affect the soil and surrounding ecosystem. For some of our volunteers, this was their first cleanup. Many shared how meaningful it felt to step away from school or computer-based work and spend time outdoors doing something hands-on for the community. It was a chance to reconnect with nature, get some fresh air, move their bodies, and give back to a park that so many people use and enjoy. There’s something special about doing good while helping restore nature closer to its original state! Let’s keep cleaning up, let’s keep showing up for our community spaces, and we look forward to tackling even more together in the months ahead.

At Captain Scott Legacy Society, Volunteer Wave is all about showing up where community connection and care come together in meaningful ways. One of our recent volunteer experiences took place at The Dugout, a welcoming living room space in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that offers a safe and supportive environment for community members. For this event, our volunteers came together to turn rescued and donated food into something warm and nourishing: soup made with care, teamwork, and intention. Working with food that might otherwise have gone to waste, the group helped transform ingredients into meals that could be shared and enjoyed, reinforcing the importance of food recovery and reducing waste in our communities. We were also fortunate to have Long, one of our seasoned Volunteer Wave members, join us for the day. With a background as a food scientist, Long brought both experience and curiosity to the kitchen, helping guide the process and sharing insight along the way. His presence added a unique layer to the experience, showing how diverse skills can come together in volunteer spaces to create something meaningful. What stood out most was the spirit of collaboration. Volunteers worked side by side, chopping, stirring, and preparing food, while also sharing conversation and connection throughout the day. It was a simple but powerful reminder that volunteering can be both practical and deeply human. Partnerships like this with The Dugout reflect what Volunteer Wave is all about: accessible, hands on opportunities that support local organizations while building community at the same time. We’re grateful for spaces like The Dugout that open their doors to volunteers and for the chance to contribute in a way that feels both useful and grounded. We look forward to continuing to work alongside community partners across Vancouver and creating more opportunities for people to show up, give back, and be part of something bigger than themselves.