The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Your Turn - Volunteerism, What You Do and Why You Do It

Episode Date: May 7, 2026

Inspired by one of our listeners to ask this question, we were rewarded with an incredible deluge of letters that inspired us and, in so many ways, tell the story of Canada. Also today, the Random Ranter picks a topic that impacts local, regional and national politics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. You're just moments away from the latest episode of The Bridge. It's Thursday. That means your turn and the random ranter. And do we have a story for you today? The question was about volunteering, and you delivered some great stories. Coming right up. And hello there.

Peter Mansbridge here. Welcome to Thursday. Welcome to Scotland. Flew across the Atlantic yesterday. and boy, my arms are tired. A long time since I heard that. That little story. Anyway, got here.

It's a little nippy here in Northern Scotland. Up in the Highlands, I don't think I'll be swimming in the North Sea today. But it won't be long. Trust me. Well, this is a heartwarming day here at the bridge. The question, which was supplied by one of our listeners this week was talk about volunteering.

What do you do? Why do you do it when it comes to the issue of volunteering? And I wasn't sure, well, I wonder what kind of response we're going to get to this question. It's a good question, interesting one. Well, once again, you delivered, and you delivered from areas I hadn't heard from before. In other words, a lot of new writers on today's program on the issue of volunteering. So let's get right to it. As I said, I think you'll be inspired by some of these stories.

We start with Norm Looker in Ottawa. I volunteered all my life, but more so during retirement. I was inspired by my father's volunteer activities. I get as much out of it as the people I help. I drive people to medical appointments. I mentor new Canadians to find jobs. I teach elderly people to play billiards. I organize street parties.

Tudored a child with a learning disability, took troubled youth on canoe trips, and volunteered with big brothers and Kuso. Wow, Norm, you've got a full agenda. Ken Peloshock in Newstad, Ontario. Ken's a regular. We hear from him quite often. Over the years, I volunteered in little ways,

assembling furniture, making food, and sanding drywall. Probably the folks never gave it a passing thought. Who tightened that screw? Who's going to wash this dish? Who sanded this drywall? It's just one small piece that improves someone's life. and thank you to any volunteer who made something go so smoothly.

I never spared a thought. Myron Jones in Seashell, BC, that's on the Sunshine Coast. Great, spectacular area. Willie and I try to get there once a year for fishing. It's about 50 clicks northwest of Vancouver, where Myron's writing from. We relocated back to the West Coast in 2020 when socialization outside of your bubble was taboo.

But I soon began to volunteer with the Seashell Grove Society, building and maintaining 20 kilometers of trails through 200 acres of community forest they helped establish. The work can sometimes be tiring for us over 70s, but the camaraderie as the sunshine, through the canopy of trees up to a thousand years old is invaluable. You paint a great picture. Elizabeth Procer in Bracebridge, Ontario, that's in Toronto's cottage country on the Muscoca River.

I am a member of a committee at a local long-term care home. My mother was resident there, and volunteering helps keep me connected to her memory. We fund extras the province doesn't cover. including equipment, music programs, and special events. We're now building a memory garden for residents, families, and staff to enjoy. Volunteering is deeply rewarding, and I receive far more than I give. People who work in the long-term care homes, oh my gosh, you're heroes. Andrea Meister in Chilliwack, BC.

My family started the island 22 Equestrian Park, a public facility over 30 years ago. We cleared, cleaned, built, ran, and raised money for the park. As a parent, I was a member of my kid's swim team executive for 10 years as the volunteer coordinator for the team. Now I'm an active member of the parent committee for our Air Cadet Squadron. Joanne Bamford in Wayne Fleet, Ontario. I believe in volunteering.

I started when I was 16 years of age, helping in a local local. nursery home. This was to gain experience in a field that I joined later in life. Now I'm retired and recently started volunteering again in a local hospital with the physiotherapy department. Why? To meet new people, to help out in an overworked system, and to keep myself active, a win-win. I'll say. Kerry Guther or Guther in Ottawa. I volunteer at our church playing the keyboard for services, leading the women's ministry and supporting my husband who is the pastor.

I also volunteer in a community singing group that puts on musical review shows to help raise money for rural Ottawa South support services. Being part of these communities enriches my life with deep friendships, a sense of purpose and the gift of giving to others. Adam Jane's in Ottawa. I volunteer as president of the Board of the Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada. We advocate, provide resources and networking for Canada's leaders of volunteering, the small but mighty profession that supports Canada's many millions of volunteers.

We'd love a shout out, and for any organizations that involve volunteers to look at up on LinkedIn. Well, there's your shout out. Adam added, actually, that Canada has lost almost one billion hours of volunteering annually between 2018 and 2023. Those dates obviously encompass the COVID pandemic, which may have had some impact on that, but it's a number to keep in mind. Frank Solinger in Massey, Ontario, that's near Owen Sound. My wife, Claudia, and I have volunteered as both high school and community coaches for over 30 years.

These sports are of a lengthy list, including track and field, cross-country running, football, basketball, Nordic ski racing, badminton, tennis, gymnastics, girls and boys hockey, mountain bike racing. This is a long list. Girls and boys field lacrosse, box lacrosse, volleyball, and fastball. We also have run various clubs such as Enviourathon, downhill ski and board club, and outdoor education. There are likely others I've missed, but the biggest reason we've done this is to provide opportunities for young people to participate in sport and build community. It has provided years of enjoyment and provided the opportunity to build lifelong friendships with others in the community. Chung in Toronto. During my time at the University of Waterloo, I volunteered every Friday night, taking adults with Down syndrome and special needs to bowling, dancing, baking, and playing bingo.

I was surprised by how well they could communicate and hold regular jobs. Back in Vietnam, my aunt never had such opportunities. I no longer volunteer since I have two kids on the spectrum, but I'm deeply grateful to all volunteers who make a difference. Heather Boyd in Calgary. I volunteered with Scouts Canada since 2013, starting when my son joined Beaver Scouts so we could share the experience as a family. Even though he's now grown,

I continue volunteering by helping plan major scouting events and mentoring others. I volunteer because I've seen the program positively shape young people. Knowing I've helped develop future leaders is deeply rewarding and gives me a strong sense of pride and purpose. It's true, you know, there's no doubt that scouting has had its challenges over time and certainly in the last decade or so. But there's also been a lot of good done by scouting. I was in Scouts. I was in Cubs. Not long after we arrived in Canada. It was a part of integrating into Canadian society for me.

And then scouts and I had great times and scouts. Camping, jamborees. So good for you. John Minchell and Comox Valley, BC, he's another regular. I've had many volunteer jobs from thrift stores to food banks plus charities to singing in my church choir. I sang in this church choir when I was a kid. until the choir master said, you know, Peter, why don't you just mouth the words?

You look good as a choir boy. You're blonde hair back when I had hair. But the singing is not very good. So there I was in the choir. Anyway, John, why does he do what he does? I felt that I needed to contribute in some way and wanted to help others however I could. Scott Burke.

in Halifax. I've met some of the nicest people of the different organizations or events that I have volunteered for. We've all become close friends and continuously look for more volunteer opportunities. Why do we do it? You ask 10 different people,

you'll get 20 different answers. I volunteer to help my community thrive and be a better place for the future. It's one of the ways we can make a difference. All these people make differences. And there's so many different ways, right? That's the beautiful thing about these letters today. Margaret Robinson in Ottawa.

Therapeutic riding of Ottawa Carleton offers, it's called Trot, I think, offers riding programs for riders with disabilities. As a volunteer horse handler, my job is to groom and tack the horses, then lead the horse during the lesson, making sure the horse stays calm and gives a safe ride. I also get to exercise ride the horses. Best volunteer gig going. Catherine Bird in Nanaimo, BC.

I volunteered through adulthood. I want to focus on volunteering in retirement. While in my 50s, as a registered nurse, I met a retiree who advised that my future volunteer life should be in a new area, something that stimulated me. This remark stuck in my brain. Now, in my 70s, I volunteer. at a food forest.

A food forest is also called a forest garden. It's a diverse planting of edible plants that attempts to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature. I also volunteer in a kindergarten. These bring me joy. Sandra Lamarou in Stoville, Ontario. That's not far from Toronto.

I volunteer at the local food bank. When I retired, I always wanted to give back to my community. It gets me up in the morning, and I feel I still have a purpose. I also met a number of great people, both clients and fellow volunteers. Gary Gould and Brantford, Ontario, I've spent several seasons canvassing for the March of Dimes, although a worthy cause with 90% of donations going directly to improve maternal and infant health, canvassing during winter months took its toll on me. I now volunteer for the Royal Canadian. Canadian Legion during the Remembrance Day period. Additionally, I judge elementary student speaking

contests for the Legion, rewarding and enriching experiences. Frank Padisi in Toronto. I'm not a youngster, so volunteering for me is a way to give a little back. I volunteer at my church. The satisfaction I experienced from volunteering fire exceeds any cost or effort expended. Annan Smith in Athabasca, Alberta. Athabasca's north of Edmonton, a fair chunk, about 150 kilometers north of Edmonton. Volunteers are a vital, renewable resource, pushing a cart for a struggling shopper, cleaning a park, serving on a board, devoting hours to a service club, volunteers make their world a little better.

In Athabasca, Rotary Lions Clubs and Faith-Based groups provide the energy that runs our beautiful little community. Rotary has a thriving Interact Club of Students, 12 to 18, learning the positive power of service. We're growing volunteers, our renewable resource. Kate Wilson in Toronto. I volunteer once a week at the Food Bank, packing the food items that will be given to people who are struggling. to feed themselves. I hope it contributes to a bit of a better world. I gain enormously by giving back,

having social interaction with other volunteers and helping with routine after retirement. Next letter comes from Edmonton from Christian Wallowick. Wallowidnik. Having lost my career in the military due to an injury, volunteering is a way that I can translate service to my life post uniform.

Having found photography, I've donated my time as a photographer and my photographic work to charity, which has also added value to my new passion. Jane Keist in Canmore, Alberta. I do volunteer work frequently, mainly events for athletes ranging from weekend warriors to World Cup athletes. I'm selective for some,

History has sadly exposed some volunteer egos forgetting who the events are meant to focus on, and other leaders' egos forget we are volunteers. For the most part, it's a win-win. Hospice, respite, and environmental causes are also very rewarding. Communities prosper in many ways from citizen volunteers. They sure do. And we tend to forget it, but these letters, are reminding us of the vast array of different things that volunteers do.

Elizabeth Brown in Toronto, I'm the volunteer director for single seniors for tax fairness, a nationwide organization lobbying for revisions to the Federal Income Tax Act to provide tax equity for single seniors. Single seniors pay significantly more taxes on the same combined income as senior couples. Singles don't receive the same tax benefits as couples despite having similar non-discretionary expenses. Tax fairness will give singles more disposable income to help with expenses. Okay, that's an interesting advocacy group on the part of volunteering. Butch, butch, butch, butch.

Come on, Peter. Jet lag. That's my excuse. Butch Rickard in Kingsville, Ontario. It's on the north shore of Lake Erie. It's Canada's southernmost town, claims, Butch. Volunteerism is the core identity of what it means to be a member of Canadian society, to give back that which was given to you.

I spent years of my youth enjoying sports, coached by volunteers. So I became a football coach, and it led to my career as a teacher. I volunteered thousands of hours and energy to initiatives important to my kids, my students, and their communities, all as investments in our future. You know, my friend and my co-author, we've got a new book coming out this fall, obviously we'll tell you about later closer to the time, Mark Bulgutche, who helps, you know, put all these things together every day. your turn

goes through all the mail he's a volunteer in sports he's an umpire at a baseball league I was bugging him last night saying do they can they challenge your calls do they have a review process

like in Major League Baseball he didn't answer that request Betsy Dobb in St. Agatha Ontario in 2007 my daughter did her high school volunteer hours at the Humane Society. She didn't drive and needed a ride, so I volunteered too.

Our Saturday morning job is adoption cats, cleaning their boxes, feeding them, and filling out a daily health chart. My daughters stopped volunteering after high school, but I continued. My husband joined me in 2018. I've been there for 19 years now. We were named Volunteers of the Month for May. Well, congratulations to you. Betsy and to your husband.

Wendy Tieson in Carstairs, Alberta. Small organizations need financial communication and organizational skills they can't purchase. I have these from decades of experience in the corporate sector. I serve on local committees and boards, building community relationships. I provided finance and accounting assistance to small businesses in Southeast Asia. Leaving the world a better place can only be done through volunteering. I can only do what I can, but what I can do, I must. Tina Lowry in Victoria. I volunteered all my life, motivated by community, contribution, and

causes I care about. I've also led formal volunteer programs across several sectors. While some argue there is a crisis in volunteerism, volunteerism, I see it differently. volunteering hasn't declined, it has evolved. Who, how, and when people volunteer has changed. Informal volunteering is often overlooked and rarely counted. Volunteers are not free labor, they add value, and are vital to strongly connected communities. Peter Forrent in Pickering, Ontario.

Well, I may have first donated blood in high school just to get out of class, Since then, I've anonymously helped hundreds of people, maybe even saved a few lives. I always coach my kids' sports. I don't understand why more parents won't. There's nothing like helping young people achieve more than they thought possible. Today, I volunteer for a Riding Association board to support democracy. Through volunteering, anyone can help make life better for everyone. You know, I volunteered as a hockey coach when Will was younger from Tim Horton's hockey up to, I guess, grade 12.

I was a terrible coach. I was one of those terrible coaches and yell at the referees who were mostly volunteers, right? And the kids used to look at me like, just open the door, okay? Marilyn Sewell and Paris, Ontario. And this whole program on volunteering was Marilyn's idea. She wrote to me last week suggested it, and I'm so glad she did, and I'm so glad we decided to go with the idea because it's great.

Anyway, Marilyn has an idea on volunteering. Here it is. Creating a graceful exit strategy for volunteers needs attention in many organizations. Volunteering should not be considered a lifetime sentence. People need not be chastised for taking a break or from moving on to something else. Often we stay in roles longer than we should. We worry, if I don't, do it, who will? And in some cases, no one will. We have to know that's okay. Sometimes things just simply need to change. Julianna Houghton in Rousseau, Ontario, that's near Parry Sound, where Bobby

your grew up. I volunteer at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. I started four years ago after bringing a managed fox to them that was successfully rehabilitated. A managed fox, by the way, is a wild fox with sarcoptic mange, a common and often fatal skin disease caused by microscopic mites. Juliana says, now I'm a tour guide, and sharing the stories of why animals are at the sanctuary. I feel a part of a group of individuals that want to help native animals

and meet both locals and people from around the world that are interested in seeing and helping wildlife. So fulfilling and heartwarming. And heartwarming is the key to so many of these letters. Natasha Julian. We're close to our break here in a minute and then the random ranter as well. Natasha Julian in Edmonton. I recently joined the board of the new grocery movement

to use my accounting skills in a way that gives back. Food insecurity is at an all-time high, and I find it really rewarding to support young people who are stepping up and doing bold things to make a difference in my community. Sandy Esposito in Aurora, Ontario. I learned to give back from my father, who volunteered widely and taught my siblings and me to do the same.

I volunteer through the auspices of the Canadian Federation of University women supporting in from the cold by preparing meals and facilitating seminars with yellow brick house, a shelter, on elder abuse, ageism, and financial abuse. It's deeply gratified to help in a meaningful way. Okay, here's our last letter before the break. Patricia Lark in Regina. I hope this is considered volunteering. I volunteer by giving blood at Canadian blood services.

A hundred donations is my goal, and I'm at 96. I was inspired by my uncle and encouraged by a colleague to overcome my fear of needles. Just feels good. It's something I can still do at the age of 76, and I'm full of gratitude that I still can. you know, some of us have this thing about giving blood. I don't quite understand why it shouldn't be considered volunteering. You're donating your time as well as your blood.

And it certainly needed. Canadian blood services says one in two Canadians are eligible to give blood, yet only one in 76 actually do. One donation could save three lives. It's been a long time since I gave blood. But reading that makes me reconsider. Okay. It's roughly halfway here.

And so we want to take our break. When we come back, we'll hear what the random ranter has to say this week. But as I said, we'll be back right after this. You know, I have a new control board here in Scotland. and I obviously just push the wrong button. This is the right button. And welcome back. You're listening to the Thursday episode of The Bridge,

which is your turn and the Random Ranter. You're listening on Sirius XM, Channel 167, Canada Talks, or on your favorite podcast platform. Okay. The Rantor this week, as a topic that's got nothing to do with our main topic of volunteerism, it's something quite different.

Here he is, the random rancher for this Thursday. I've never understood why crime is a political issue. Shouldn't we all kind of feel the same way about it? I mean, nobody wants to be victimized. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, on the streets, and at their workplaces. When I was growing up, I thought security was a basic human right, but these days it seems like it's more of a luxury.

if not a complete illusion. And look, I try not to think about it very often because it is disconcerting. But I can't help myself. I pay attention to my surroundings and everywhere I go from big cities to small towns, I'm seeing crime, I'm hearing about crime,

or I'm reading about crime. And I don't care where you live or how you vote, you know I'm right. Crime in Canada is endemic, and it should really come as no surprise because at some point we went from a society that enforced laws and punished offenders to a country where there are consequences for only the most serious of crimes. And for everything else, there's endless chances and few repercussions.

I mean, how many times do you read about an assault or a robbery that lists off a plethora of previous convictions but then ends with the statement was released on a promise to appear? Reading those words always leaves me shaking my head because I just don't get it. Today's system seems more concerned with the trauma criminals have experienced in their lives than the trauma their actions are inflicting on fresh victims. Look, I can understand the impetus to hug a thug.

I mean, I believe, perhaps foolishly, that human nature is good. I think today's criminal is more than likely yesterday's victim of something. They've no doubt been failed by society somewhere along the line. but we don't have a time machine to correct those wrongs. We can only deal with the here and now. And here and now, empathy just isn't working. I mean, it's all fine in Danny to understand how the underlying effects of poverty, education, or systemic racism creates crime.

I think it's even fine to acknowledge that some criminals never had a chance. But at the end of the day, fixing the underlying causes of crime, is the job of the government and social services, not the courts. Whether society has failed criminals or not, crime is crime. It doesn't matter if it's petty or property or even drug related. None of it is victimless. It costs us all. It raises our prices at stores. It boosts insurance rates. It affects our safety. It compromises our public spaces, our public health care, our public transit, and even our public washrooms. Just think about all the private security out there now. It wasn't like that 15 years ago. Now they're everywhere. And at the end of the day, we're the ones paying for all

of it. We can't afford to ignore crime or to forgive it. Doing so only perpetuates it. And that's what we're dealing with now, emboldened criminals that have been conditioned by our justice system to believe crime is a way of life that they're entitled to and that punishment is a joke. I mean, there are people roaming our streets with multiple, multiple convictions, who are known to the police, who are known to their victims, who continue to be frequent flyers to the courts, and none of that puts a dent in their actions. They're back on the street the next day, the next week, or the next month. We deserve better.

And even if we have failed criminals in some way, failing to punish their actions with substantive consequences is really just failing them again. The random renter for this week. Crime continues to be a major issue door to door for campaigners at all levels of government. and we've seen crime and local crime and the failure to deal with crime change seats election after election after election and I assume we will continue to see that so the renter once again picks a topic that's on the minds of a lot of people

for different reasons okay and coming from different angles Okay, back to this week's topic on your turn, which is volunteerism. The suggestion of Marilyn Sewell from Paris, Ontario. She suggested that we take a run at that topic, and I'm sure glad she did because it's been heartwarming and inspiring to listen to some of these answers. Okay, let's march on with... with more of your answers on this question.

Okay, I've lost my place. So let me figure out where I've got to here. This might take a minute. So bear with me. Do, do, do, to do. I'm trying to see what I did here. I've got all the letters on my computer in a Microsoft Word document. There's only one problem.

I lost my place. So now I've got to go searching through the document to find out where we were. And I'll get there. It's not long after we talked. We had Marilyn's letter. We're getting close. I can feel we're getting very close. Okay.

Why don't we try this? Kate Gunn in Edmonton I first encountered volunteers at Calgary's Glenbow Museum in the 1980s, a fantastic museum. There I work with hundreds of volunteers or docents who made Alberta's history come alive

for visiting school kids. Their energy was off the charts. Their dedication to relentlessness. They help kids fall in love with history through fun, hands-on learning. As for me, they opened my up to the power of volunteers to help organizations truly connect with their community. Andy Gunn and Edmonton perhaps related to Kate of that last letter.

Volunteering with Catalyst Plus, a Canadian agency that provides expertise internationally and locally to help people build better lives and strengthen their economies. It has been an overwhelming positive experience. It allowed me to live in and work in Ethiopia, four times, and the Philippines. I provided assistance and also learned humility and how different cultures and peoples with their own rich approaches and values deal with the world's challenges.

I recommend wholeheartedly this volunteer experience. Julie Mulner in Burlington, Ontario. I've volunteered and been the recipient of volunteerism. It's priceless and a win-win. However, it should never be a, a substitute for helping a fellow neighbor in need. Rushing past a neighbor in need to meet one's commitment as a volunteer somewhere breaks down the social cohesion of our society.

Our first priority should always be to be helpful to those in our midst without fanfare or recognition. Nicole Vritsios in Mississauga. My mom, a retired teacher, volunteers weekly to support reading literacy. Working one-on-one with several students, she helps address long-standing learning gaps, many impacted by funding cuts and larger classroom sizes. This work gives her a deep sense of purpose. The gratitude from students as they gain confidence and read at a grade level is incredibly

meaningful to her and to them. Michael Artendale in Sudbury, Ontario. I have volunteered throughout my adult life. For 16 years, was a scout leader. Currently, I volunteer for our local snowmobile club. My joke is I do it because I want the best trails for me to ride. In general, I think everyone should volunteer in something within their community. Norma Jack in Stoville, Ontario. I have nothing but admiration for volunteers in all walks of life. I volunteered when my kids were in school to help run the PTA. I did the same

from my older grandkids and now I volunteer at the Aurora Seniors Center. Last year, this group of terrific seniors volunteered over 20,000 hours. And this year, I understand that we will record even more hours. Carolyn Lecky in Ottawa. Now that I'm retired, I try to focus my life on what is necessary, important, and interesting or fun. Volunteering hits all of these. It's a bridge, sharing things.

that I know and love with others. Lately, I volunteered to introduce brave newcomers to do the most Canadian thing possible, sliding outside in winter. You've never heard so much shared joy and laughter as teaching people to skate, skier, toboggan. That's a gift for all. And guess who is writing from Fannie Bay, B.C.,

Marilyn Wallace, of course. As a high school teacher, I spent countless afternoon working hours, after work hours, organizing science fairs, planning, and supervising multi-day student retreats and coaching. I love my work, always believing that I was helping to create lifetime memories for hundreds of young people. For many reasons, teachers are often the best choices for these activities, but there is a unique, blurry distinction between volunteering and work commitments.

It doesn't really matter. We offer our time anyway. Make sure you read Marks and my book that's coming out this fall. It's called a noble profession. It's about teaching. Janet Linkletter in Ottawa. For the past six years, I've been volunteering as librarian at my local church. The library collection is quite large for a small church. It has over 500 books and follows the Dewey Decimal classification scheme. I also play in two community orchestras and at my church on violin and viola. I enjoy giving back to the community and applying my university degrees, master of library, science,

and Bachelor of Music History and Theory. Jamal Teckleville in Toronto, as a family of newcomers from the prairies, Canada has treated our family well. Giving back financially and with time is just natural for us. Volunteering is something I am now imparting to my young son. As a lifelong volunteer, I think it's the best way to meet new people. If you find yourself around like-minded people doing things for the benefit of others without getting paid, those are relationships worth fostering. Mark Manchester, who's a member of IATC-873 in Toronto. It's about service, courage, and the commitment of a few which affect the lot of us.

As a union member, many of us sit on committees, we're present to, listen, to learn, to take action. So too neighborhood groups are the grassroots, volunteerism, the fertilizer. Mark's Union, IATC, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the behind-the-scenes people in theaters, film, and TV, they do an amazing job. Margaret Bartley in Herndon, Virginia,

that's a suburb of Washington. Margaret's a Canadian, she lives there. I'm a volunteer driver for senior citizens, in our town. Our organization has 20 active drivers and about 200 seniors who request rides. For 50 years, I was a nurse, and this is a very rewarding substitute. Our riders are very thankful, and I enjoy their conversation. John Kelly and beautiful St. Andrews New Brunswick. Volunteering is not just about giving, it's also about getting. I volunteer and I get satisfaction. action. I also gain knowledge about the organization and or cause and activity I'm volunteering

for. In short, I gravitate from just being one of those complainers who sits around in a coffee shop with his or her buddies and gabs about why so much is wrong to an explainer with an informed opinion. Mark Van Dyke in Waterloo, Ontario. Forty-five years of volunteering at scouting, ski patrol, aviation, and on our school's parent council have blessed me with innumerable instances of young people coming out of their shells to excel, shine, grow, and prosper, all while becoming the leaders our society desperately deserves. Volunteering gives so much more than it takes. Joan Westall in Picton, Ontario, on the Bay of Quinty, southwest of Kingston.

I've always volunteered as a teenager teaching swimming to disabled children and weekly games with mentally ill patients led to careers in nursing and special education. Having children meant volunteering with sports teams and girl guides. Adulthood volunteering meant learning about governance on boards. In retirement working with female inmates and delivering meals on wheels has taught me I'm the one who's gained the most. Lucky me. Tristan Coolman in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Imagine being in your final year of high school,

trying to picture your future as a young trans person, then having your living situation change overnight. I volunteer with P Flagg, part of a caregiver network dating back to 1960s Toronto supporting LGBTQ plus people. We recently supported someone in this exact situation. While extreme, it reflects ongoing challenges, people of all ages and identities still face in families, workplaces and communities across Canada.

Elizabeth Buffett in Sydney River, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Love volunteering. Grew up in a volunteering family and thought that is just what you did. Love supporting my community needs and it's fun. Girl Guides of Canada for 72 years. Hospice, palliative care, support fundraisers, do weekly pet therapy visiting with my... Okay.

Bitch on? Not sure what that is. Community concert band leadership team. French horn player. Scott Jansen in New Westminster, BC. I volunteered for 13 years, coaching girls, soccer, and supporting community initiatives. What I'm seeing is that volunteering is getting harder.

You're often paying to volunteer, paying for certifications and dealing with growing regulation, administration just to help out. Amateur sports and volunteering should be as accessible and close to free as possible, given the benefits they create for community and public health. We're at risk of regulating that spirit out of existence. Okay, so it's true in the times we live in a lot of organizations. If you're going to volunteer with kids, you will need a police check. which costs money.

Sometimes you'll have to go to the police station to be fingerprinted to get the clearance, which is a time commitment. I appreciate that. I also appreciate why they do it. I mean, when I was coaching, you know, kids hockey, I had to do that in Stratford. I had to go through the police check at the Stratford Police Station. Susan McCormick and Souris, P-E-I, I do volunteer. I think it's what keeps most smart.

small communities vibrant and working well. My first volunteering was as a child for the Kidney Foundation, where my grandmother was very involved. I volunteer at my church with the Catholic Women's League, Seurus Food Bank, Suris Straders Ski Club, and the town of Suris. While volunteering with these groups, I am almost always working with other volunteers too. I love it and I know it's needed. Leo Bourdain in Ottawa.

After my dad retired as a teacher and principal, he volunteered. I volunteered thousands of hours, helping refugees and immigrants settle in his community. He occasionally talked about his immigrants, but my siblings and I didn't know the extent of it until at his funeral, dozens of people shared how he helped them. Today, the French community of Cornwall awards a volunteer prize in honor of my dad, Jules Bourdain. Carla Tomere in Toronto. Years ago, I volunteered for the St. John's ambulance therapy dog program. I took my dog to visit seniors in a long-term care facility in downtown Toronto.

There's nothing more rewarding than watching seniors appreciate the comforting qualities that you see as a pet parent. It's incredibly fulfilling to see the magic and joy of watching someone recognize how special your family pet is. The love of animals surpasses language barriers. age gaps and cultures, it is especially critical for residents who never receive visitors. Susan Hendrickson and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. My first volunteer work as a candy striper in a hospital was when I was 16 years old in 1970. I spent my high school years enjoying it and continued varied volunteer positions reflecting my interests since then. Dawn Smith Appell in Ottawa.

My first volunteer experience was in defense of equity and inclusion. I'm a special education teacher and had been incredibly discouraged, hearing DEI described by a certain political leader as something that needed to be reversed. I decided if I worked on the opposing campaign, I would at least be doing something. What I learned, along with the rest of the country, is that all of us working together can make change happen. Phyllis Elaine in Moncton, New Brunswick. I canvassed for the Cancer Society and heart and stroke for quite a few years. Then Red Cross, driving seniors.

I served on quite a few boards related to work. Now retired, I deliver Christmas food boxes and chair of the Church Finance Committee and on a fundraising committee for a new senior center being built. I enjoy using my work talents now in volunteer roles. Jason Craig in Conchral Mills near Lunenburg in Nova Scotia. I started volunteering when my kids were born, hoping to set an example. I learned once you put your hand up for one thing, you're asked to do 10 more because the need is so great. We need a mandatory public service program for young people coming of age.

We simply do not have the capacity to do all the things volunteers are asked to do. Back to the Sunshine Coast in Garden Bay, BC for Ann Harmer. Our community would not be a community without its volunteers. They run our food bank, deliver meals, clean our beaches and roadsides, maintain trails, provide school breakfast, keep our festival traditions going, bring in first-class musicians, operate the thrift shop, which supports our hill center, walk dogs for shut-ins, and that's just the organized volunteers. Neighbors help each other. Friends step in when a helping hand is needed. It's just what we do. Rose gas in Delhi, Ontario. It's an hour east of London. I'm a retired registered nurse who's volunteered most of my life.

I'm very proud of my children and grandchildren who are also very involved in volunteering. In fact, my daughter and youngest grandson are currently in Jamaica, providing aid in the area worst hit in last year's hurricane. We've worked in orphanages in Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, medical clinics in Guatemala, locally at Camp Trillium for children with cancer, women's shelters, coaching hockey and baseball, helping young horse riders assisting at fishing tournaments and so much more. Giving back is part of who we are.

There's so many of these letters. I'm not going to get to all of them. Let me just try a couple more here. Dan to Sir in Prince George, BC. I'm a professional biologist in BC and I'm a volunteer with the Invasive Species Council of BC. I'm an ardent supporter of the efforts of this council in which more Canadians understood the ecological and economic impact

of invasive species. I believe that we should expect to normalize having corporations support staff volunteering in their fields of expertise. Their time and expenses should be covered as a matter of corporate goodwill. Richard Hoth in Gibson's BC and other Sunshine Coast community where the Northwest Bank of Howell Sound meets the Strait of Georgia.

Monday nights have been my favorite weeknight for the past 14 years. I am fortunate to have this time on the soccer pitcher basketball court as a volunteer coach with the Special Olympics. I couldn't ask for a better team of athletes. Their humanity and commitment to the team, each other, and the coaches is humbling. Michael Humor in Colonna, BC, my uncle Jack lived alone in what looked on the surface to be a very solitary existence. he had his mission in life, constant volunteering.

With a smile on his face and a kind word for all, he routinely navigated his electric wheelchair through snow drifts in the Calgary winter on the way to his next volunteering. The inscription on his 2019 burial plaque reads from the prayer of St. Francis, In giving, we receive. There you go, that kind of sums it up, eh?

and four words in giving we receive. Your letters this week, and there are many more, have been amazing. Marilyn Sewell and Paris, Ontario, thank you for the idea. I'm so glad you did it. I'm sure anybody who listens to this will feel equally inspired by the words of our fellow Canadians about why they volunteer, how they volunteer. how it's affected them and affected their community. That's going to do it for today.

I'm Peter Mansbridge. Thanks so much for listening. We're back tomorrow with Friday's Good Talk with Shantelli Bear and Bruce Anderson. Look forward to that as we always do. Thank you for your letters this week so much. Take care and we'll talk in less than 24 hours.