Looking back at December, one of our favourite parts of the holiday season was getting to volunteer with organizations that go all out to support families during Christmas. From toy sorting to gift wrapping, our Volunteer Wave team was busy helping make the season a little brighter. One of our Christmas highlights was volunteering at the Surrey Christmas Bureau Toy Depot on December 12. Our volunteers helped organize shelves, sort and place toys, and support families as they searched for gifts for their children. The Toy Depot is designed to feel welcoming and supportive, giving parents and caregivers the opportunity to choose gifts with dignity, just like a holiday shopping experience. The Surrey Christmas Bureau plays a huge role in the community every year by supporting thousands of families who may be facing financial challenges during the holidays. Through programs like the Toy Depot, they help ensure children across Surrey can experience the joy and excitement of Christmas morning. Their work is powered by donations, community partners, and volunteers who come together to make the season more inclusive and hopeful. Another meaningful moment from the holidays was gift wrapping with Progressive Housing Society on December 16. Two of our team members spent time wrapping gifts for residents, helping add that extra touch of care and celebration. While gift wrapping might seem small, it is one of those details that helps make the holidays feel special and thoughtful. These Christmas volunteer moments reminded us that the holidays are really about showing up for one another. Whether it was helping families find the perfect toy or wrapping gifts behind the scenes, every action contributed to a more joyful and connected community. We are grateful to have been part of it and are already looking forward to continuing this work next holiday season.

Volunteering at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank is always a highlight for our Volunteer Wave team. Whether we’re in Vancouver or Burnaby, it’s one of those places that reminds us why showing up for our community really matters. We volunteered on December 6, January 8, and January 15, helping out with both food distribution and produce sorting. During distribution shifts, volunteers get to interact directly with community members while helping hand out food. These moments are simple, but they’re meaningful. A quick smile or conversation can go a long way, and it’s a reminder that volunteering is just as much about connection as it is about the task itself. On other shifts, our team worked behind the scenes sorting fresh produce. We helped prepare crates and boxes of fruits and vegetables so they could be distributed smoothly and efficiently. It might not always be the most visible work, but it plays a big role in making sure people have access to healthy food when they need it. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank’s goal is to provide healthy food to people facing food insecurity across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore. Each month, they support thousands of individuals and families, not only through their own distribution sites but also through partnerships with schools, shelters, and community meal programs. None of this would be possible without community support and a strong volunteer base. Every shift at GVFB reminds us that small actions add up. Whether we’re sorting produce or connecting with someone face to face, we’re contributing to something bigger. We’re grateful to keep volunteering alongside GVFB and can’t wait to be back again soon. Check out our upcoming events!

On October 10, our Volunteer Wave team joined Belkin House for their Thanksgiving dinner, working alongside eight general volunteers from the shelter. In total, our volunteer team counted about 18 people, with more coming and going throughout the evening. Belkin House created a restaurant-style experience for residents at their shelter. Residents came in, sat down, and were waited on by volunteers. We took their orders, had the meals prepared in the kitchen, and brought them directly to the table. This approach allowed residents to enjoy a dignified, relaxed experience where they could simply be present and enjoy a meal without having to think about anything else. Throughout the evening, our volunteers experienced the value of being in service, practicing compassion, and helping others. Many different people attended, from single residents to full families with children, which highlighted the importance of community support and the impact a warm meal and kind interaction can have. Events like this remind us how volunteering is not just about giving time, but also about creating meaningful experiences that show respect, care, and humanity. We are grateful to Belkin House for welcoming us and for the opportunity to serve alongside them in such a thoughtful and impactful way.

December 6, 2025 was a busy and meaningful day for the Volunteer Wave community. After one group of volunteers spent the morning packing and gift-wrapping over 60 Boxes of Hope for Whole Way House senior homes, a second, smaller group headed over to Veterans Manor in the afternoon to help run Saturday Bingo with residents. Our volunteer group included individuals who grew up in countries such as Romania and China, where bingo wasn’t a familiar classroom game. For them, learning how to play on the spot was both a fun challenge and a cultural learning experience. Meanwhile, volunteers who had played bingo before were surprised to realize that this game—so familiar to them because they played it a lot in elementary school—was completely new to others. In the end, the learning curve became part of the joy, and the bingo experience was just as entertaining for volunteers as it was for the residents. In fact, even Canadian-raised volunteers learned something new. Did you know that there are different bingo patterns that can be played? Many volunteers were used to winning by completing a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line, but we quickly discovered other patterns to work toward—such as frames, letter shapes, picture shapes, and full house (blackout) boards. Our volunteers helped residents find numbers on their board and reminded them to call out "bingo!" to get their win recognized. The residents, many of whom were veterans, took their bingo very seriously. They stayed focused on the game, chatting only briefly between number calls or to ask for more cookies and coffee—kindly served by our volunteers. Even residents sitting at the back of the room, multitasking with crossword puzzles or newspapers, remained fully engaged. Each bingo win was met with cheers, smiles, and shared excitement throughout the room. Prizes included food items such as spaghetti, cookies, goodie bags of candy, juice boxes, and protein drinks—small but meaningful additions to help supplement residents’ regular meals. Between games, volunteers and residents shared rich conversations, ranging from travel stories and wartime experiences to reflections on marriage, family, and life lessons. Volunteers noted that these were conversations they don’t often get to experience; these were moments of genuine connection rooted in listening and presence with people from different generations. As the event wrapped up, residents lingered to share their appreciation. Many mentioned how kind it was to see new faces in their building and how helpful it was to have volunteers topping up coffee and passing out cookies so they could focus on the game. One resident shared that when volunteers are present, more residents come down to participate—normally around five people attend bingo, but with volunteers, the room fills with closer to fifteen. When volunteers show up, Saturday bingo becomes a special occasion. The gratitude flowed both ways. Residents were thankful for the time and care, and our volunteers felt equally grateful for the opportunity to spend meaningful time together. Before leaving, we made plans to return—and we’re excited to visit again in late January 2026. If this sounds like a Volunteer Wave opportunity that resonates with you, check out Bloomerang to sign up and join the Volunteer Wave community. We’d love to have you volunteer at our next visit!

On November 29, 2025, the Volunteer Wave community partnered once again with The Dugout to prepare nourishing meals for people who drop in each day for support and connection. Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, The Dugout offers a safe and welcoming living room style space for community members experiencing homelessness, including those staying in nearby shelters. Visitors can stop by for coffee, water, snacks, washroom access, and a place to rest, watch TV, and feel at ease. Our soup making days always begin with a food pickup from The Dugout, followed by a delivery to the Watari kitchen where the cooking takes place. This time, the donations included a generous supply of onions, potatoes, and tomatoes, along with other vegetables such as bell peppers. With these ingredients as the foundation, volunteers worked together to prepare three hearty dishes: Honey Sausage Chili, Country Ham and Mushroom Pasta, and Potato Harvest Soup. The Watari kitchen was full of energy throughout the day. Volunteers jumped in to wash, chop, and saute vegetables, moving easily between tasks while sharing conversations and music in the background. One of the highlights was cooking alongside volunteers from other local organizations, which created space to learn about different community efforts and sparked ideas for future collaboration. Once everything was prepared, the soup components were carefully packed up and transported back to The Dugout to be served in the days ahead. It was a day rooted in teamwork, connection, and the simple comfort of good food. We are so thankful to everyone who gave their time and care to make this possible, and to the volunteers who joined us in the Watari kitchen for this session. If you are interested in taking part in future soup making shifts with the Volunteer Wave community, you can sign up through Bloomerang under the opportunity titled The Dugout. More dates will be announced soon, and we look forward to returning to the kitchen together.

On November 24, we once again visited The Salvation Army Belkin House to support both the kitchen team and the ongoing clothing drive. Although we had only 5 volunteers to cover both tasks, everyone worked together with great teamwork and positivity to deliver the best experience possible for the residents. We are especially grateful for Olive and Alvin, who warmly accommodated and supported us throughout the entire visit. For kitchen support, two of our three volunteers were new to Belkin House, but we were excited to learn about the facility and the tasks assigned by the chef and kitchen staff. Throughout the shift, we helped with cutting cake, preparing sausages, filling juice and iced tea trays, serving residents, cleaning, and dishwashing. Despite being newer volunteers, we truly enjoyed the overall experience. The mission of Belkin House made a strong impression on them. One volunteer was so inspired that they even signed up on the spot to become an individual Belkin House volunteer. For the clothing drive, Olive kindly assisted us by bringing additional donations from the storage room and helping set up a table in the communal room to attract more residents. We also received donations from our volunteers throughout the month, mainly winter essentials such as coats, jackets, blankets, socks, sweaters, sweatpants, along with purses, shoes, hats, and other accessories. Residents shared how grateful they were to find items that would help keep them warm throughout the winter, and many left with pieces they truly needed. We always love coming back to support Belkin House and their meaningful mission for the community, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many visits to come.

After many months of teamwork, The Dugout and our Volunteer Wave community are finally able to make nutritious soup for the individuals who drop by The Dugout—a safe “living room” space in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The Dugout provides a welcoming environment for community members experiencing homelessness, including those staying in nearby shelters. Visitors can stop in for coffee, water, snacks, washroom access, and a place to rest and watch TV. Earlier this year, The Dugout relocated from its long-time Gastown home to a temporary space at 57 East Hastings. The new location brought several benefits: washrooms, a dedicated activity room, storage, and a multipurpose space. But, it also came with one major challenge: no usable kitchen. Without a kitchen, The Dugout was unable to prepare hearty meals like soup, a comforting staple they previously served daily. To help fill this gap, the Volunteer Wave community, alongside some dedicated long-time volunteers from The Dugout, began donating 200 sandwiches at a time to ensure guests had access to more filling meal options. Meanwhile, Sharon, The Dugout’s Volunteer Coordinator and Board Director, worked tirelessly to find an external kitchen that could serve as a long-term solution. After an extensive search, she secured kitchen access through Watari Counselling and Social Services, who generously offered to share their community kitchen space. The Dugout, Volunteer Wave, and three other DTES food-based charities would now be able to rotate through the kitchen to prepare meals for their communities. On November 22, 2025, the Volunteer Wave community arrived ready to help launch this new chapter of soup-making. Each soup day starts with picking up food donations from The Dugout and delivering them to the Watari kitchen. This time, we received an abundance of onions, potatoes, and tomatoes, plus additional vegetables like bell peppers, asparagus, and broccoli. Using these ingredients, volunteers set out to make a hearty sausage and roasted vegetable soup. Inside the lively commercial kitchen, volunteers washed, chopped, steamed, and roasted vegetables, and even prepped extra produce to freeze for future soup-making days. As always, the kitchen was filled with music, teamwork, and good conversation. A wonderful bonus was sharing the space with volunteers from other local organizations, which offered opportunities to learn about other local missions and explore future collaborations. Once all the ingredients were fully prepared, we packed up the soup components and brought everything back to The Dugout for future serving. It was a fulfilling day of connection, delicious smells, and meaningful impact. We’re extremely grateful to everyone who lent a hand. Thank you to all the volunteers who joined us for our first soup-making session in the Watari kitchen! If you’re interested in joining the Volunteer Wave community for upcoming soup-making shifts, sign up on Bloomerang under “The Dugout” opportunity. More shifts are on the way, and we can’t wait to be back in the kitchen together.

On November 18, Captain Scott Legacy Society had an amazing opportunity to join the Surrey Christmas Bureau as the very first group of volunteers in 2025, officially kickstarting this year’s season of giving. Despite having just 1 week to recruit volunteers, our team was able to gather 9 volunteers. It wasn’t difficult to look for support, our group is filled with energized and dedicated volunteers who are always looking for opportunities to give back and support families in need, especially during the holidays. On the day of, we arrived at 9:00 AM for a quick orientation and introduction, and by 9:30 AM, our volunteers were ready to dive in. To help promote teamwork and connection, we paired volunteers together so everyone had support while getting to know new faces and support the families. We are deeply grateful to Malika and Karmin from the Surrey Christmas Bureau for guiding us throughout the entire shift. Their support and accommodation made the experience much more meaningful and welcoming for everyone involved. Families soon began arriving to shop for holiday gifts for their children. Volunteers assisted parents based on the number of children in their family, age ranges from newborn to 18 years old, and specific gift preferences. The toy selection was very diverse: cars, dolls, books, board games, stuffies, clothing, and more. For older youth, options included headphones, makeup bundles, card games, gift cards, and so much more After selecting gifts for their children, parents also had the chance to pick out household items and clothing for themselves. Many expressed how grateful they were and shared how much joy the gifts would bring to their children. Hearing their appreciation reminded us exactly why we do this work. We also rotated through tasks behind the scenes. Some restocked shelves so the gift tables were never empty, while others checked expiration dates on products, prepared bundles, organized inventory in the back room, and handled donations at the front desk. These efforts ensured the space stayed running efficiently for families throughout the day. Overall, the experience was incredibly rewarding. Many volunteers shared that this was one of the best volunteer opportunities they’ve had, made even more special by the magic of the holiday season, when everyone deserves to feel loved and supported.

This November, our Volunteer Wave members spent three meaningful days at Belkin House Salvation Army, supporting their programs in a variety of ways. On November 8, 10, and 16, volunteers stepped in wherever help was needed—prepping ingredients in the kitchen, making meals, tending the rooftop garden, and sorting clothing donations. Most of our time was spent in the kitchen, helping staff get meals ready for residents. Belkin House provides meals, care, and essential resources to up to 224 residents, creating a supportive environment where people can access the help they need. From emergency shelter to transitional housing, their work focuses on meeting basic needs while offering dignity and care to every resident. Our volunteers got to see firsthand how each task, whether in the kitchen, garden, or sorting clothing, contributes to the smooth operation of the shelter and the well-being of its residents. Over the three days, nearly 20 different volunteers joined us, bringing energy, care, and a willingness to lend a hand. In the kitchen, volunteers chopped, stirred, and plated meals, learning new skills and sharing the joy of working together. Others contributed in the garden, helping maintain the space and ensuring it stays a welcoming area for residents, while a few helped organize and sort clothing donations to make sure items were ready for anyone who needed them. These shifts reminded us how versatile volunteering can be and how much of an impact even small contributions have. Every chopped vegetable, plated meal, and sorted clothing item played a part in supporting Belkin House’s mission of providing a safe, supportive, and dignified environment for residents. We are grateful to everyone who joined us across these three days and to Belkin House for welcoming our volunteers once again. Seeing so many people come together to support their community highlights the power of teamwork and compassion in action.

On October 26, 2025, our Volunteer Wave community returned to one of our favourite local shelters, Belkin House, to continue what we started a month earlier. This time, our volunteers split into two teams: one supporting the kitchen on the main floor and the other working on our ongoing community garden restoration project upstairs. It was a bustling day of great conversation, smiles, and transformation, all taking place under one roof at Belkin House, an emergency shelter and transitional housing facility in Downtown Vancouver. While our kitchen crew peeled apples and chopped vegetables to support Belkin House’s daily meal program, our gardening group headed up to the third-floor garden to work on an area we’ve been restoring since late September. During Phase 1 last month, volunteers cleared out invasive Himalayan blackberry bushes, removed tangled weeds, and trimmed overgrown plants. This time, for Phase 2, we built on that progress, focusing on planting, mulching, and setting the garden up for long-term growth. Our team arrived early to prepare for the day’s activities, unloading supplies like soil, tools, and landscaping fabric before gathering for a quick icebreaker to kick things off. With guidance from our expert volunteer landscapers, Carl and Carol, the group divided into smaller teams to tackle different garden zones. Together, we removed remaining weeds and invasive plants, laid down landscaping fabric, spread fresh soil, and added colourful mulch to brighten the beds. The final step we did—planting native, low-sunlight species such as evergreen blackberry—will bring life back to the garden in a vibrant and sustainable way. Throughout the day, volunteers worked side by side, sharing stories, learning new skills, and enjoying a sense of camaraderie that’s at the heart of every Volunteer Wave event. While our program coordinator Mitchie made her rounds, offering conversation starters, music, and encouragement, volunteers didn’t need much prompting to connect. For Volunteer Wave members, friendships and teamwork seem to come naturally! By the end of the afternoon, the transformation was unmistakable. The garden was a place of calm and connection again. It became a small oasis of colour and renewal for Belkin House residents to enjoy once more. Stepping back to admire their work, volunteers could see how far the space had come in just two sessions! Check out our pictures to see the amazing result! But, the project hasn't ended yet. In the coming weeks, small volunteer teams will return to the site to finish planting two additional side gardens and planters. With continued support from Carl and Carol, we’re also working toward certifying the restored garden as a Canadian Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat since it is now a space that supports native plants, pollinators, and biodiversity right in the heart of the city. This partnership with Belkin House reminds us that ecological stewardship doesn’t just have to happen in forests or parks—it can thrive in our own community spaces, too. Thank you to Belkin House staff, Volunteer Wave members and staff, and especially Carol and Carl from Thriving Gardens for supporting nature in this big way! Learn more about Carol and Carl's garden maintenance work at thrivinggardens.earth on the web or @thriving_gardens_ on Instagram. Want to get involved? No gardening experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to lend a hand. Join us on Bloomerang to RSVP for future planting sessions or explore other Volunteer Wave opportunities that grow impact right here in our local community!

Our Volunteer Wave members have had several opportunities recently to support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, helping make nutritious food accessible to families and individuals across the region. On October 25, our team joined the Food Bank for a distribution shift. Volunteers prepared grocery selections, restocked items, and assisted clients as they came through the doors. Even in a busy environment, there was a sense of connection in every interaction. Small gestures—a kind word, a smile, or helping carry a bag—reminded us how meaningful volunteer work can be for the people receiving support. On November 5, we returned to the Food Bank warehouse for a produce packing shift. Volunteers worked side by side, sorting fruits and vegetables and ensuring each item was ready for distribution. Careful attention to quality and freshness was a priority, and it was inspiring to see everyone collaborating efficiently while sharing conversation and laughter along the way. Then on November 19, our volunteers participated in another produce packing shift. Hundreds of pounds of fresh produce were sorted, packed, and prepared for distribution, helping ensure that community members receive healthy options. These shifts are part of the ongoing work our volunteers take part in throughout the season, supporting the Food Bank’s critical operations. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank continues to serve tens of thousands of people each month across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore. Their work goes beyond providing food. They empower people with healthy choices, educational resources, and support programs that promote long-term stability. Volunteers play a crucial role in keeping these programs running, and each contribution—whether sorting apples, packing vegetables, or assisting clients—has a real impact. These recent shifts reminded us that every small task matters. Behind the scenes, careful preparation and teamwork translate into meaningful support for the community. Walking through the Food Bank, it is easy to see how collaboration, care, and respect make everything possible. We are grateful to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank for welcoming our volunteers once again, and we look forward to continuing to support their important mission in the months ahead.

On October 18, we had the chance and privilege of teaming up with the Chinese Community Policing Centre to prepare and distribute 400 sandwiches for the community in the downtown east side. Volunteers spanned the full spectrum, from middle-schoolers to working professionals, all brought together by a shared desire to give back. We divided into 2 teams: one taking on 200 ham sandwiches, the rest creating 200 strawberry & chocolate sandwiches. Meanwhile, every bag was hand-decorated with cheerful, handwritten messages, because we believe that a personal touch shows more than just a general message. The youth volunteers jumped into the strawberry & chocolate sandwich team, they had fun assembling them and decorating the bags in so many creative and meaningful ways. The ham team also worked hard like a well-oiled production line: dedicated folks took on tasks like mayo spreading, cheese layering, spinach and ham, and carefully packaging everything into the decorated bags. After about more than an hour, we paused to enjoy pizza, snacks and refreshments and some time to connect, a little social break before we jumped back in. Then we powered through and wrapped up all 400 sandwiches in just 2 hours. We didn’t just stop at making them. Once the sandwiches were ready, we split them between a donation to the Dugout, a charitable organization serving residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, and a street-distribution team on East Hastings. With help from a CCPC volunteer, we made sure people who couldn’t reach the shelter still received a meal. Working with CCPC, an organization with deep roots in community safety and volunteer engagement in Vancouver’s Chinatown and beyond has added so much meaning to the day. As always, it reminded us that even a simple sandwich, wrapped in kindness and warmth, can brighten someone’s day and tighten our community. To everyone who supported, thank you for making it happen, you are the real heroes out there! Interested in joining us for future events? Sign up for our Volunteer Wave program and be part of the next wave of impact.