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The Heart of Service: Where Volunteers Make All the Difference
Over 70 dedicated volunteers form the backbone of The Salvation Army’s community support in Parksville, a number that grows significantly during the Christmas season. Their impact reaches far beyond numbers, touching lives in ways that bring their supervisor to tears. Linda Cherewyk, Family Services and Food Bank Supervisor at The Salvation Army Mount Arrowsmith, becomes…
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Cuts of Hope: The Power of Volunteering
At The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries in Maple Ridge, acts of volunteerism help bring dignity and renewal to those facing difficult times. Between meals, emotional support, and social reintegration, a simple gesture—like a haircut—can make all the difference. Small gestures create a big impact at the housing facility. For Ellie Ollenberger, 22, a passionate…
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Boundless Vancouver Toy Shop Brings Joy to Families at Christmas
The Boundless Vancouver Toy Shop, an inspiring program by The Salvation Army, has once again brought significant relief and joy to families facing hardships during the holiday season. Neisy Castillo, Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator at Boundless Vancouver, shared that this year they served around 800 families. One of the families served was Andrea’s. A…
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Volunteers from Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive Witness Impact of Boundless Vancouver Toy Shop
The holiday season is a time for generosity, and few initiatives embody this spirit as beautifully as Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive. Last week, a number of family members had the opportunity to volunteer at The Salvation Army Boundless Vancouver Toy Shop, where they witnessed firsthand the impact of their contributions. Among them was Pinder Saran,…
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How Grandpa’s Socks Inspired Him to Volunteer
At The Salvation Army, we often hear stories that remind us of the profound impact volunteering can have—not just about those we serve, but about the volunteers themselves. One such story is that of Doug, a dedicated volunteer who has been ringing Kettle bells during the Christmas season for 17 years. Doug’s journey with us…
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Embracing Hope and Unity: A Volunteer’s Journey at The Salvation Army
In the heart of The Salvation Army Connection Point Church & Resource Centre, a ray of hope shines brightly through the compassionate efforts of Li Wang, affectionately known as Heather. Heather’s dedication to serving the community with warmth and unity embodies the values of The Salvation Army. “It’s about connecting with people, showing empathy, and…
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British Columbians Answer the Bell
British Columbians Answer the Bell Across British Columbia this past year we faced dire and uncertain circumstances due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, but in the middle of all of this fear and uncertainty, there shone a bright light in our province. Our annual Kettle Campaign this year surpassed our target goal and we managed to…
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Answering the Call
Answering the Call During the Christmas season, The Salvation Army launched our iconic kettle campaign across Canada amid a pandemic. Don Noland was listening to his radio when he heard an ad explaining the need for volunteers to help ring the bells with us this holiday season. Having a personal connection to The Salvation Army…
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58 Years and Counting
58 Years and Counting Growing up with Salvation Army Officers as parents certainly influences the upbringing. For Ron Walker, his role at The Salvation Army started in 1962 when he was only 10-years-old. “I was born into it, my parents were Salvation Army Officers. Both in corps work with the church and social work. I…
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Using the Pandemic to Help Give Back
Using the Pandemic to Help Give Back When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it affected countless people and businesses across the world. For 26-year-old Kalvin Shum, who was working in the film industry as a lighting technician for Netflix and Amazon Prime, the pandemic completely shut down production, resulting in large layoffs. Typically, Kalvin worked 12…
