April 16th to 22nd was National Volunteer Week and on April 17th, the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre in partnership with Kingston Personnel Support Programs and supported by the CANEX Gives Back Volunteer Recognition Program, hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Night to honor the hard work and dedication of those who give their time to support the community surrounding the Canadian Armed Forces.
Around 70 volunteers attended the event, which was a great opportunity to socialize and connect with one another. CFB Kingston draws on approximately 200 volunteers at any given time, some of which couldn’t attend the event because they were busy volunteering! The appreciation night was a chance to recognize the hard work that these volunteers put into the activities and events at CFB Kingston.
The guest speaker for the evening, Steve Nash, a former CAF infantry officer, paratrooper, and special operations commander, spoke about his experiences as a volunteer and how volunteering helped him, after he released in 2009 and performed a dramatic career change to work as an educator, teaching different age groups from middle school to university and college level. Steve emphasized how volunteering his time in a classroom for suspended and expelled students with the local social welfare agency made him realize his own ability to enable others to maximize their own performance and success. Steve to this day continues to support youth and adults through wilderness camps, fitness and martial arts and teaching life skills. Steve emphasized that “volunteers make a lot of differences for a lot of people in a lot of ways, which build up to big differences overall”. His message resonated with the audience, reminding them of the importance of what they do and the impact they have on the military community.
The event was a great success, and the organizers hope that everyone who attended had a good time. The Volunteer Appreciation Night was an opportunity to thank those who make a difference in the lives of military families and to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact in the community.
Canadian Forces Base Kingston Clubs, Health Promotion activities, and the Kingston Military Family Resource Center events and activities are just a few of the many varied initiatives available to support military personnel and their families in the community. Even if some members and their families are only in the area for a short time, these volunteers give them a powerful connection to the community. The Community Garden and the Garrison Kids Holiday Party are of special note as two of the largest and most successful community activities and events, but there were many others highlighted throughout the evening.
National Volunteer Week is a campaign by Volunteer Canada to recognize and thank volunteers across the country for the time and energy they contribute. CFB Kingston extends our gratitude to all the volunteers who give their time and support to our military, our families, and our communities.
The event was funded by the CANEX Gives Back Volunteer Recognition Program. This program recognizes adult and youth volunteers for the important work they do in their local CAF community and provides an opportunity for local Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services and Military Family Resource Centre representatives to work together in fostering a collaborative partnership under one mandate.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer yourself? Volunteer opportunities are just a mouse click away: https://cfmws.ca/kingston/in-your-community/volunteering