It’s National Volunteer Week - April 18 to 24, 2021

April 18, 2021

Emmanuel smiling
People smiling and clapping

Thank you to all of our volunteers!

We rely on our volunteers. We simply couldn’t do what we do without them. This week we celebrate the incredible contributions our volunteers make to the lives of the people we serve. This year’s theme − The Value of One, The Power of Many – speaks to the significance of the efforts made by each and every volunteer. And the great impact volunteers can make when banding together.

We’ll be acknowledging and celebrating our volunteers all week, so check back each day for a new video being featured!  

Our team in B.C. shares the many reasons why our volunteers are the best and the impact of their support on the people with disabilities participating in our programs and services. Watch their National Volunteer Week video:


Elizabeth Faraone explains the important role of volunteers in our aphasia and communication disabilities program. Often, they are the first point of contact for someone with aphasia looking to join the program! Watch the video and join us in celebrating the contributions of these volunteers.


The programs in our Community Programs and After Stroke services are successful because of the work and dedication of our volunteers. Christina Sperling shares the important contributions they make in this short video on YouTube.

We’re also celebrating the volunteers who work with our Augmentative and Alternative Communication camps and aphasia camps in Calgary. Kim Smith shares some of their attributes they bring to the table in this short video on YouTube.


Lindsay Scriven also joins us to share her thoughts on the volunteers from our Connect and Share program and Hi, Tech! program. In her National Volunteer Week video she describes some of the qualities our volunteers have when supporting people with disabilities in these programs designed to fight isolation.



Smiling EmmanuelHere is an example of a volunteer who is making a difference. Thank you Emmanuel!


Emmanuel Tse is a third-year medical student at the University of British Columbia. His training keeps him busy. He is often hopping between hospitals and clinics, meeting many new patients but often only for a short period of time. As a result, last year he started looking for ways to reach out and was drawn to March of Dimes Canada.

He now volunteers with the Connect and Share program, and it’s turned out to be just what he was looking for. The program connects the volunteer with a person with a disability, for conversation on a regular basis over a video call.

Starting in December, Emmanuel and his contact have been meeting via Zoom once a week. Emmanuel has found that building a relationship with someone you wouldn’t normally have a chance to meet is a joy. Especially in a pandemic.

“I think what has been unexpected has been how well we have connected over a virtual platform– we have these catch phrases and inside jokes,” said Emmanuel. “The friendship develops over time. It made sense that it would be rewarding, but to actually experience it has been so powerful.”

During the pandemic, it can be difficult to find volunteering opportunities that can make a difference online. Emmanuel doesn’t hesitate to recommend volunteering for the Connect and Share Program.

“I think it's a great opportunity to get to know people who are going through chronic conditions that have other life experiences,” said Emmanuel. “Not only is it rewarding but it brings different perspectives that you can learn from.”


Find out more on volunteering with March of Dimes Canada.


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