“Life is a learning process, and changes can be wonderful opportunities for growth. Don’t be afraid of change! Embrace it and grow!” – Nishan Panwar
Posting season is upon us, and just like the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) community we serve, the KMFRC is no stranger to watching moving trucks pull away carrying the belongings of some of our volunteers and employees. As hard as it is to see our friends move away, we like to embrace the change and focus on new beginnings. They often come with new ideas, viewpoints, and experience – all of which contribute to resiliency, and the continued growth of our programs and services. When one door closes another one opens, and we are excited to introduce you to the new Volunteer Services Worker, Kevin O’Neil. Kevin brings with him a wealth of experience in Volunteer Management through different positions he’s held with agencies like The Canadian Red Cross, The Salvation Army Centre of Hope, and Loving Spoonful to name just a few.
Tell us about yourself. Where are you from originally, married, kids, pets?
I grew up in the small town of Kingsville, Ontario with two brothers and two sisters that I remain very close with. I now have 10 nieces and nephews that I love to visit on holidays. When I was 19, I moved to London to attend school at the University of Western Ontario. I then moved to St. Catharines to complete my graduate degree (MA in International Relations) and TA at Brock University. I returned to London for full-time work and my girlfriend, Dajana, and I moved to Kingston in the summer of 2013. In 2015, we bought our first home in the Henderson Place area of West Kingston. In 2016, we married at the Kingston Yacht Club on a rocky beach. In 2017, we welcomed our beautiful daughter. Calista, to our family and she has kept us busy ever since. We also have a cat named Louie.
What made you decide to join the KMFRC as the new Volunteer Services Worker?
I started working alongside volunteers in 2009 with The Salvation Army and I have thoroughly enjoyed coordinating and supporting volunteer programming ever since. I obtained my Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA) a couple of years ago while working for the Canadian Red Cross. I am also proud to call myself a lifelong volunteer, currently volunteering for Loving Spoonful in Kingston. I believe that volunteering is extremely beneficial to the communities that we serve and for volunteers themselves.
Tell us a bit about the vision you have for the KMFRC volunteer program…
I plan to continue garnering the success in regards to the community programming that we provide. I will strive to provide excellent support to all KMFRC volunteers as Heather (my predecessor) has. I hope to build upon this amazing work and further develop our volunteer programming in order to better support our CAF families.
What do you do when you aren’t working, volunteering?
- Hanging with my 2 year old daughter
- Playing guitar, going to concerts and listening to music
- Visiting family and friends across Ontario
- Travelling on vacations, weekends and day trips alongside my wife and daughter
- Hiking, biking, playing beach volleyball and softball
- Watching sports, especially baseball, football, hockey and tennis
- Working on projects around the yard and home
Favourite spot in Kingston?
I really enjoy being in nature , especially anywhere near the waterfront in Kingston – from Lemoine Point and Everitt Point (near my home) in the west end to Breakwater Park and Confederation Park downtown to Arrowhead Beach (near my new workplace) and Grass Creek Park on the east end of the city.
What is your personal philosophy on life?
Be kind to others. Keep active by working hard in every facet of life. Enjoy the downtimes and holidays by spending quality time with family and friends.
If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bobcaygeon by The Tragically Hip
If you could steal credit for any great piece of art, song, film, book etc. which one would you claim?
Seinfeld, The Lord of the Rings, The Office, Blackbird by the Beatles
If you had a time machine, what year would you travel to and why?
1968 to see that era of history unfold and to attend some classic rock shows that we no longer have the option of seeing now (The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, etc.)
If you are interested in becoming a KMFRC volunteer, please visit http://kmfrc.com/volunteer or contact our Volunteer Services Worker, Kevin O’Neil at 613-541-5010 x5195 – he would be happy to discuss our current volunteer opportunities!