On February 15 and 22, we had the opportunity to return to Belkin House for another round of volunteering, and yes, it felt just as meaningful as ever. Although the tasks were familiar, kitchen duty and supporting the clothing drive, we brought the same energy and enthusiasm. There’s something special about returning to a place you know: the comfort of familiarity mixed with the excitement of new conversations and connections. Each visit reminds us that even when the tasks are the same, the experience is always new because of the people we meet along the way. Our returning volunteers: Nav, Julie, John, and Jan, jumped right in because they know the drill. But more importantly, they come back because they truly value and appreciate the experience. Nav shared that he sees the Belkin community as his own. Having grown up in the same area where Belkin House is located, he feels a deep connection to the neighbourhood and resonates strongly with the organization’s mission. For him, volunteering here is personal, it’s about giving back to a community that shaped him. Julie, one of the newer members of our Volunteer Wave program, continues to impress us with her dedication. At such a young age, she consistently shows up on time, supports her teammates without hesitation, and brings such positive energy to every shift. And yes, she may occasionally sneak a little whipped cream for a quick sugar boost (we won’t tell!). It’s these small, joyful moments that make volunteering even more memorable. Jan and John never hesitate to make the journey into Vancouver to lend a helping hand. Their willingness to travel and contribute says everything about their generosity and commitment to help. You can always count on them to be there and help out. We were also joined by new volunteers Solana, Sophia, and Marcela, who recently discovered our program. They admitted that cooking wasn’t exactly their forte, but with guidance from Chef Mom, everything became simple and enjoyable. His patience and clear instructions made it easy for them to follow along, and before long, they were confidently chopping vegetables and preparing dishes from scratch. Watching them discover joy in something unfamiliar was a beautiful reminder that volunteering is also about learning and growing. The entire team at Belkin House made the experience smooth from start to finish. From the welcoming front desk staff to the kitchen crew, everyone ensures that volunteers feel supported. We’re especially grateful for Chef Mom’s thoughtfulness, always setting aside a vegetarian dish for Jan during lunch break. It’s those small gestures of care that make a big difference. Beyond the kitchen, our team also brought donations to contribute to the clothing drive. The Belkin House staff made the process seamless by organizing and clearly labeling boxes in the basement, which really helped us to work efficiently. The space is always impressively organized, and we definitely do our best to keep up! One of the most meaningful parts of the clothing drive is tabling and interacting with residents. We love hearing their stories, sharing conversations, and making genuine connections. The more we learn about the community, the more we want to return. These relationships are what truly make the experience impactful. Ending February at Belkin House was a gift. Being part of a community like this reminds us why we continue to do what we do. Hearing our volunteers reflect on what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and the ways they’ve been able to support residents reinforces the purpose behind our mission. It’s more than kitchen duty. It’s more than organizing clothes. It’s connection. It’s community. And we’re already looking forward to coming back.

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!

At Captain Scott Legacy Society, we’re proud to partner with organizations that are making a real difference in our communities, and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank is one of them. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank plays an essential role in supporting individuals and families across the region by providing access to nutritious food and helping reduce food insecurity. Their work reaches thousands of people each month, ensuring that community members can access healthy food with dignity and care. Through Volunteer Wave, our volunteers regularly support the Food Bank in a variety of roles that help keep their operations running smoothly. From sorting and organizing food donations to preparing items for distribution, every shift is an opportunity to contribute to something meaningful and immediate. It’s hands on work that directly supports families across Greater Vancouver. What makes this partnership so special is the shared belief that community care should be accessible, welcoming, and collective. Our Volunteer Wave members show up with energy and purpose, and the Food Bank team creates an environment where volunteers feel valued and part of something bigger than themselves. We’re grateful for every opportunity to work alongside the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and to help support the incredible impact they continue to make across the region. Partnerships like this remind us why volunteering matters, and how small actions, done together, can create lasting change in our community. Check out our photos from our February 15 and February 22 events! If you’re looking to get involved, Volunteer Wave offers ongoing opportunities to support organizations like the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and others making a difference across the city.

Saturday Bingo at Whole Way House’s Veterans Manor is an integral program that brings senior residents together week after week. While simple and routine on the surface, the program offers something deeply meaningful—it provides comfort, sparks joy, and helps combat loneliness for everyone involved, from residents and staff to volunteers. On February 7, 2026, the Volunteer Wave brought a group of all-new volunteers to Veterans Manor for a Saturday Bingo visit. Many volunteers were experiencing both Volunteer Wave and senior-focused volunteering for the very first time—and thankfully, the experience was met with great reviews! While most volunteers had little to no experience working with seniors, they were pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was to simply sit, chat, and connect. For this visit, volunteers helped prepare the room, set out Bingo cards and markers, made and served coffee, introduced prizes, and even stepped up to help lead a few Bingo games. After the final round, the team worked together to disinfect surfaces and reset the space before lingering around to talk to residents. As the games unfolded, both volunteers and residents became fully absorbed—you could feel the friendly tension in the room, often broken by playful remarks like, “I don’t need much, I just need a whole line!” Residents settled into the games with hot coffee by their side, a Bingo card in one hand, and a snack in the other—fully focused and ready to win. Volunteers were just as engaged, many pulling up chairs and sitting right alongside residents instead of standing on the sidelines. This Bingo day turned out to be especially memorable: by some serendipitous coincidence, every winner that afternoon won twice! Residents were either two-time winners—or cheering enthusiastically for those who were. In this Bingo community, a win for one truly feels like a win for all, with prizes like packaged chocolates often shared around the table. With such a successful and energizing visit, Volunteer Wave coordinators are excited to return for more events. Keep an eye on Bloomerang—weekday opportunities like coffee chats and free market support are coming up, alongside more Saturday Bingo days at Veterans Manor.

January 31, 2026 was another joyful Saturday Bingo day at Whole Way House’s Veterans Manor. As our Volunteer Wave members arrived to set up for an hour of friendly (and competitive!) Bingo, residents greeted us with jokes, smiles, and lively conversation. While volunteers arranged tables and chairs and prepared the room, staff shared how meaningful it was to have people show up and spend time with residents. We couldn’t agree more: presence matters. Once the games began, familiar faces gathered around the tables, ready for several fast-paced rounds of Bingo. The residents are true pros—so much so that even some volunteers struggled to keep up as numbers were called out at lightning speed. Volunteers supported the game by helping residents locate and mark their numbers, celebrating wins, and enthusiastically shouting “Bingo!” right alongside them. At one point, the excitement got the best of us—one volunteer who was trying to keep track of a resident’s Bingo card called out “Bingo!” a little too early during a game. The whole room erupted in applause, but after a check, we realized the resident was still missing a single number. After the error, everyone happily forgiving the moment with laughter and cheering. The shared excitement that Bingo tends to bring out in everyone was clear with these small moments. Beyond the game itself, volunteers helped keep the space warm and welcoming in many small but meaningful ways. Coffee was prepared and served just the way residents liked it, snacks were passed around, and surfaces were wiped down before and after the games to ensure everyone’s comfort. When small hiccups popped up—like realizing the coffee maker hadn’t been turned on right away—residents were great sports, laughing it off and enjoying little cakes and iced tea in the meantime. Prizes added to the excitement, with residents winning items like cereal, chocolate, bowls of macaroni and cheese, cups of soup, and granola. One of the most heartwarming moments was watching residents who won multiple rounds happily share their prizes with others at the table. Another was seeing a resident consistently invite, sit with, and support a neighbour who is visually impaired—a quiet but powerful reflection of the care that exists within the community. What stood out most was the sense of connection at Veterans Manor. Staff know every resident by name, and residents genuinely look out for one another. Our volunteers felt this warmth immediately, laughing along with playful Bingo jokes and feeling welcomed into a space that truly feels like family. Volunteer Wave will be returning to Veterans Manor at least once a month. See you soon!

Recently, we had the chance to spend the day at the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, working alongside their incredible team and supporting the care of over 480 cats who call the sanctuary home. We partnered with RAPS Cat Sanctuary to bring a group of volunteers out for a hands on day of support. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this place is something really special. You can just feel how much care goes into every single detail, and every cat there is truly looked after with so much love. Our volunteers got stuck into a mix of tasks throughout the day. Things like outdoor maintenance, lawn care, organizing recycling, moving cat food and supplies, and helping with light cleaning around the space. Nothing too flashy, but the kind of work that really helps everything run smoothly behind the scenes. What stood out most was the atmosphere. It was calm, caring, and full of quiet dedication. Everywhere you looked, there was evidence of how much the animals mean to the people who work there. It made it really meaningful for our volunteers to be able to support that in a hands on way. Days like this are a good reminder that community support does add up in a real way. Even a few hours of help can take pressure off organizations that are doing important, ongoing work every day. It also gives volunteers a chance to step into spaces they might never experience otherwise and connect with a cause in a new way. We’re really grateful to the team at RAPS Cat Sanctuary for welcoming us so warmly and for the care they put into their work every single day. We’re looking forward to heading back again and continuing to support however we can. For more events like this, as part of our Volunteer Wave, check out our upcoming events and join us for the next one!

There's a narrative out there that today's youth are disengaged– apathetic, overwhelmed, or simply not interested in the world around them. But anyone who walked into the Slice of Life Art Gallery in East Vancouver on April 17th, 2026, would tell you a very different story. Young people don't lack motivation. They lack a starting point. They want to know what the problems are, what they can actually do about them, and how to take that first step. The Youth Volunteer Fair, a joint initiative between Captain Scott Legacy Society and Writers' Exchange, was designed to give them exactly that– on their own terms, in a space that felt welcoming, energetic, and genuinely fun. From 3 PM to 6 PM, over 100 attendees between the ages of 13 and 25 filled the Gallery, connecting with 18 local organizations, exploring causes they cared about, and discovering volunteer and community opportunities across Metro Vancouver. Tables were set up for youth to engage with at their own pace, guided by a sticker event passport system that encouraged them to visit each one, with prizes drawn every hour to keep the energy up. By the end of the night, even the tabling partners had a chance to win self-care prize packages. Everyone left with something, be it a sense of hope and community, a prize, a snack, or motivation to just get something started. The room had music, pinball machines, sticker machines, and of course, art! After all, showing up to do good shouldn't feel like a chore. Croissant sandwiches, veggie platters, wraps, cookies, donuts, juice, and soda kept everyone fuelled throughout the afternoon. And the energy? It really never let up. Unlike many similar volunteer fairs that see attendance taper off toward the end, people were still streaming in right up until 6 PM. Youth lingered for as long as they could, with some youth staying right till the end to help us clean up. Keep in mind, they weren’t registered to volunteer directly at the event, but kindness and an eagerness to help kept them around! That, perhaps, was the spirit of the evening in a nutshell. Organizations in attendance included Writers' Exchange, Captain Scott Legacy Society, Promise Vancouver, The Dugout, Vancouver Public Library, Belkin House, Hogan's Alley Society, Britannia Community Centre, Thunderbird Community Centre, Hastings Community Centre, Strathcona Community Centre, Slice of Life Art Gallery, Women in Leadership, Futbolito Soccer, Environmental Youth Alliance, Vancouver Folk Festival, SUCCESS’s Community Leadership Initiative, and more. Each table represented a different doorway into the community, and youth were eager to walk through them. None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity of our donors: Lee's Donuts, Earnest Ice Cream, Lush, Old Spaghetti Factory, and L'Occitane. Some of the non-profit programs that participated in the event, such as Vancouver Public Library, Writers' Exchange, and Captain Scott Legacy Society, donated charity swag. Thank you all for believing in what we are building. To our amazing staff and volunteers: This was the first annual Youth Volunteer Fair, and you helped put it on the map. To every young person who walked through those doors that night: we see your drive, your curiosity, and your desire to make a difference. When we believe in youth and their abilities, they believe in themselves. And when they believe in themselves, they change the world. This is the first of many. We'll see you next year!

This winter, our team had the opportunity to return to Belkin House to support both kitchen duty and the clothing drive market on December 14, 21, and January 11, and 18. With a group of five to six volunteers each visit, we divided into two teams: one supporting the kitchen and the other running the clothing drive. In the kitchen, our volunteers assisted with making sandwiches, cutting vegetables and cakes, filling drinks, cleaning, and serving residents. With the great guidance and support of Chef Mom and kitchen staff, the team worked efficiently while having lots of fun along the way. It was rewarding to be part of preparing and serving meals that bring comfort and nourishment to the residents. Meanwhile, the clothing drive team worked closely with Belkin House staff, who kindly helped by bringing out additional donations from the storage room and setting up a table in the communal area to make the market more accessible and inviting. Throughout the month, we also received clothing donations from our volunteers, focusing mainly on winter essentials such as coats, jackets, blankets, socks, sweaters, and sweatpants, along with purses, shoes, hats, and other accessories. We were so grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many residents while helping them find the right clothes, sizes, and styles they liked. We had so much fun picking out items and offering recommendations, and it was heartwarming to see residents leave with pieces that truly met their needs. Many shared how thankful they were to find items that would help keep them warm throughout the winter. Helping out and connecting with the community at the start of the year made this experience both meaningful and a wonderful way to kick off 2026. We always love coming back to Belkin House to connect with the community, lend a helping hand, and support residents in many different ways. Seeing the smiles, hearing the gratitude, and working alongside such dedicated staff and volunteers reminds us why giving back is so important, and why Belkin House will always be a place we’re more than happy to return to.

On January 17, our Volunteer Wave team had such a great time making soup for The Dugout in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside using the Watari Kitchen. We cooked up honey pork chipotle and potato soup and spent the shift chopping, stirring, and sharing laughs while putting together something warm and nourishing for people in the neighbourhood. The Dugout is a long‑standing charity and community space that supports residents of the Downtown Eastside. It is known as a “community living room” where people can come for a safe space off the street, enjoy free snacks and coffee, and find connection and support throughout the day. The Dugout also offers one of the first hot meals of the day with soup, coffee, and bread to hundreds of people every morning, and it helps counter isolation and loneliness in the community. Volunteering with The Dugout feels different from other shifts because it’s such a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. People stop by for a meal and end up chatting with volunteers or just relaxing with a warm cup of coffee. Our team appreciated the chance to see how something as simple as a bowl of soup can create community and make someone’s day feel a bit lighter. Making soup together was fun, and it felt good knowing the food we prepared would help fuel people in a place where warmth, care, and friendship are offered every single day. We left feeling inspired and reminded that acts of service, even small ones like stirring a big pot of soup, matter in real ways. We are grateful for opportunities like this and look forward to more chances to serve alongside community partners like The Dugout. It’s a space where food, conversation, and kindness come together in a way that really shows the heart of community care.

The Volunteer Wave community kicked off the new year with an Arts and Crafts Party at Southview and Terrace Seniors Residence on January 3, 2026. To make sure there was something for everyone, our volunteers hosted five different activity stations, allowing residents to participate at their own pace and comfort level. The stations included glass bottle painting, paper quilting, pointillism-inspired painting, a conversation table for non-crafty participants, and a live doodle portrait booth. The glass bottle painting station quickly became a favourite. L’Occitane at Coquitlam Centre generously donated the glass bottles, and one of our volunteers donated the glass paint. As more residents arrived, others gravitated toward the paper quilting table, cutting out shapes and gluing patterns onto mosaic templates to create their own paper “quilts.” At the pointillism station, residents learned about the late-1800s art style and practiced mindful dot-painting using Q-tips on colouring pages inspired by historical artworks. Not everyone was in the mood to create art, however, and that was perfectly okay. Some residents (and volunteers!) chose to gather at the conversation station instead, where they played a Roll-and-Share dice game designed to spark meaningful dialogue. Both residents and volunteers took turns answering the prompts, some of which were labeled “hard-hitting,” leading to thoughtful, intergenerational conversations. Another highlight of the afternoon was the live doodle portrait booth. Residents posed at a DIY photo-style station while volunteers sketched three portraits of each guest: a candid pose, a smiling pose, and a silly pose. A special shout-out goes to Jenny and Han, who ran this station with creativity, patience, and confidence. Their leadership and artistic talent brought so much joy to the seniors lining up for portraits. Throughout the two-hour event, the room was filled with laughter, conversation, and the excitement of residents sharing their artwork and portraits with one another. A steady stream of seniors joined us over the afternoon, and it was heartwarming for volunteers to reconnect with familiar faces and continue conversations from previous visits to Southview and Terrace. It was a heartwarming and joyful start to the year! Both residents and volunteers left smiling, already looking forward to our next visit. Every time we visit this seniors residence, we come up with a new idea for an event. What event should we do next?

December was a busy month for our Volunteer Wave team, and we were so excited to spend it supporting a new community partner, Watari Counselling and Support Services. Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Watari is a wellness centre and multipurpose community space built with the community for the community. Each month, hundreds of people rely on Watari for meals, food hampers, showers, laundry services, fresh haircuts, spaces to rest, counselling, public health support, and cultural gatherings. They focus especially on supporting Indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ communities. Our first visit on December 27 was all about helping during the holiday rush. Watari’s food donation program runs year-round, but at the end of the year, they receive a huge increase in surplus grocery donations from supermarkets and grocery stores. Our volunteers jumped in to chop potatoes for cooking, organize shelves of donated non-perishables, and pack nutritious food hampers for single mothers, families, and elders in need. Every task mattered in keeping the food moving safely from donation to distribution. We returned for one final shift on December 30 and it was another meaningful day. Volunteers were welcomed with a homemade breakfast sandwich and coffee, a small but heartfelt gesture that reflects Watari’s commitment to community care and mutual support. After fueling up, we got to work sorting surplus produce and pastries and packing food hampers. Because this shift was on a weekday, volunteers also got to see Watari’s dignified “shopping-style” food distribution model in action, helping clients pack their bags and offering friendly conversation along the way. Nearly 20 people, including Volunteer Wave members and Watari’s long-term volunteers, worked together. Even with so many hands, the work kept us busy enough to run overtime. At the end of the day, volunteers were invited to take home some produce as a thank-you, leaving us feeling welcomed, appreciated, and inspired by Watari’s generosity. We are grateful to have had the chance to support such a warm, inclusive, and generous organization, and we can’t wait to return in the months ahead. If you want to volunteer alongside us at Watari, keep an eye on Bloomerang for upcoming shifts.

On December 13, our Volunteer Wave team had an absolute blast spending the day with residents at Southview and Terrace Seniors Residence. We got to host a musical bingo session, featuring hit songs from the 50s all the way to the 90s. Our volunteers loved seeing the seniors sing along, laugh, and get competitive as the music played. It was such a fun way to bring people together and create a lively, joyful atmosphere. Supporting seniors is always meaningful, and events like this remind us how music can connect generations and spark happiness in unexpected ways. Every shift is about more than just volunteering; it’s about building connections, sharing smiles, and making someone’s day a little brighter. Our team left feeling inspired and grateful for the chance to support such an amazing community. We can’t wait for the next time we get to visit and share more fun moments with the residents!