THUNDER BAY - As a refugee who immigrated to Canada from Sierra Leon due to civil war, Children’s Aid Society volunteer, Noel Parker, said he has always wanted to give back to the country and community that took him in.
“Immigrating here to Canada as a refugee, I feel like I have an obligation to give back to the community that gave me an opportunity to restart life,” he said. “It’s all a big circle. It’s a very rewarding opportunity and experience.”
Parker is one of the many countless volunteers in the city being recognized during National Volunteer Week, which kicked off on Monday with a flag raising ceremony at Thunder Bay City Hall.
Tessa Hettrick, president of the Thunder Bay Association of Volunteer Administrators, said the flag raising ceremony is the first time they have been able to gather in person to celebrate volunteers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As an association, we take great pride in working with volunteers in Thunder Bay because they are so integral to the fabric of our community,” she said.
“Without volunteers, a lot of organizations would not be able to provide the services they do to the community. It is extremely important to have volunteers because without volunteers the community wouldn’t be as vibrant as it is.”
Hettrick added that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had to reduce or cut programs, meaning some volunteers were no longer needed.
But as restrictions began to loosen and programming returned, past volunteers and new ones were ready to help out again.
“When we came back from the pandemic, we engaged volunteers in a whole different way and a lot of people thankfully stuck it out and allowed us to bring back our volunteers and we are so grateful that they have done that,” Hettrick said.
“We have also seen new volunteers who through the pandemic realized there was much they had to give and wanted to be part of something bigger.”
For Parker, who has volunteered for numerous organizations, including Blaze Basketball, Operation Red Nose, and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Bachelor’s for Hope Auction, giving back has always been an important part of his life.
“Growing up I was involved in youth sports that had so many volunteers that helped my development as a basketball player, or football,” he said. “When I had the opportunity to do the same thing and give back to youth has been a rewarding opportunity.”
Parker added that it is great to see the city recognizing all the hard work of volunteers who make so many programs possible, especially for youth, and he encourages anyone interested in helping out the community to not hesitate to seize the opportunity.
“I would tell them to get involved no matter how, no matter which way possible,” he said. “It doesn’t take much. An hour a week can really change the life of someone or a group of people. Giving back will always in turn make you feel better about yourself and you are doing a good deed for the community.”
