Volunteer Week 2024: How the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Partners Encourage Volunteerism
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, presented by ATCO and Boeing, is still encouraging volunteer applications until April 30, and the Volunteer Program, supported by London Drugs, will be the heartbeat of the Games. The promotion of volunteerism is a fundamental value of the organizing committee, and we are fortunate to be partnered with London Drugs, an incredible organization very closely aligned with this value.
During the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, London Drugs’ personalized approach to health and wellness care will extend to the volunteers, ensuring they feel valued and supported, as they are integral to the success of the Games and the experience provided to competitors, their families and friends, and spectators.
Our volunteers will demonstrate how anyone can join in and contribute to the shared journey of recovery and deeper social purpose for the competitors as well as their family and friends.
We’ve worked with some of our valued partners to highlight volunteering opportunities within our community and share how they are encouraging volunteerism within their own organizations. These partners are working to promote volunteerism on a local, national, or international level and to share the value of volunteerism within their own communities and make “every moment matter” – the theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week.
London Drugs:
Volunteerism is a core part of London Drugs’ corporate social responsibility and community engagement efforts. The company actively supports, facilitates, and encourages volunteering through its foundation, partnerships, and employee opportunities.
At London Drugs we like to say it is in our DNA to go above and beyond the expected. This is particularly true when it comes to the volunteer efforts of our teams. Whether it is for a sponsored community outreach program, or during an emergency response – we are always so grateful for the many ways our team creates moments that matter for our community members.
Here are some of our most loved volunteer and community outreach programs that our staff participate in:
Stocking Stuffers for Seniors
What has become an annual tradition for London Drugs had humble roots planted in 2015 when a store in British Columbia’s Okanagan region sent out the call for donations and collected enough gifts to benefit 500 inner-city seniors. Two years later, the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors campaign officially went chain wide. To date, thanks to many London Drugs volunteers, we have delivered more than 60,000 donated gifts to seniors.
Toy Drive
London Drugs has been involved in a number of Holiday Toy Drives for over ten years, with all donations going to Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.These events have become a heartwarming annual tradition that our team looks forward to helping organize, year after year. We love seeing the support from the community when donating toys and gifts to support thousands of families in need.
United Way
London Drugs has participated in United Way’s employee fundraising program since 1999, raising over $4.8 million, and run by over 50 London Drugs’ volunteers annually across Western Canada.
True Patriot Love Foundation: What Volunteering Means to Us
Every day volunteers are needed across Canada to run activities, manage programs and execute the mission of tens of thousands of community organizations, big and small, in person or online – from food hubs, to disaster response and hospitals. Pandemic lockdowns were devastating to many community organizations and the people they served and four years on, the impact is still felt. We urgently need to strengthen our community services and to do that, we need to mobilize new volunteers.
Veteran Volunteerism Initiative: Building connection with purpose
That’s why True Patriot Love is thrilled to launch the Veteran Volunteerism Initiative (VVI), a project that aims to harness the skills and spirit of service among Veterans so we can all thrive together. Thanks to a grant from Veteran Affairs Canada’s Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund, this ground-breaking project aims to develop a National Action Plan on Veteran Volunteerism, leveraging the unique propensity of Veterans to serve their communities.
A National Action Plan: Addressing a critical gap
Canada doesn’t have a framework for coordinating and evaluating Veteran volunteerism, despite its potential benefits to both Veterans and communities. The Veteran Volunteer Initiative will draw on the outcomes of seven evaluated community programs to develop a comprehensive National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan and framework. Additionally, the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) will conduct a literature review to deepen our understanding of how volunteerism contributes to Veterans’ well-being. By better understanding the impact of volunteerism on Veterans, we can tap their experience and expertise to help inform and shape program and policy decisions, all while strengthening the programs and organizations that serve our communities. This isn’t a study that sits on a shelf: it’s a dynamic partnership!
Get involved today!
True Patriot Love’s seven VVI program partners have urgent needs for volunteers and we’re helping to spread the word to Veterans and their networks. Click on the links below to learn more about each of our VVI partners and to connect directly to their volunteer applications.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto – Volunteer Opportunity in Ontario
- Veteran Farm Project - Volunteer Opportunity in Nova Scotia
- Email – [email protected]
- Camp Aftermath – Volunteer Opportunity in Quebec/Ontario
- Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 - Volunteer Opportunity in British Columbia
- Perley Health – Volunteer Opportunity in Ontario
- Mood Disorders Society Canada – Virtual Volunteer Opportunity
- Team Rubicon Canada – National Volunteer Opportunity
ATCO:
At ATCO, our team lives by the values of safety, integrity, agility, collaboration and caring. We care deeply about our customers, our employees, their families, and the communities we serve. In 2006, we launched the ATCO EPIC (Employees Participating in Communities) program which provides our people the opportunity to engage with and support hundreds of charitable and non-profit organizations worldwide through pledging and volunteering, reflecting our dedication to making a positive impact. Since 2006, our team has raised nearly $57 million for charitable organizations globally and contributed over 274,500 volunteer hours.
As a proud Co-Presenting Partner, we are committed to ‘making every moment matter’ and look forward to having #teamATCO volunteers from around the world at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Boeing:
Year-round, Boeing employee volunteers are committed to giving back in the communities we call home. Whether they are assembling bikes for kids, planting trees, helping train service dogs or cheering on competitors at the Invictus Games, Boeing employees understand that each contribution—no matter how small—holds the potential to make a difference in someone’s life. Boeing partners with hundreds of charitable organizations globally, connecting employees with local opportunities to get involved. Boeing employees donated more than 477,000 hours to charitable causes around the world in 2023.
“My favorite part about volunteering is knowing that I was able to help someone. Being able to represent my country and meet so many amazing people has been incredible,” said Priscilla Uramina, Boeing training coordinator and volunteer at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.
Fisher House:
Fisher Houses around the United States and overseas depend on volunteers to bring the heart into each home away from home. Fisher Houses are comfort homes where military and Veteran families can stay at no cost while loved ones receive medical care at military and Veteran hospitals. Volunteers help by making meals, helping with chores inside and outside of the houses, and sometimes just being there for guests when they need a hug or someone to talk to.
There are many opportunities for people to get involved at Fisher Houses. Some volunteers organize events to receive donations of food and items that will make families more comfortable during their stay. Others do fundraisers. Many volunteers spend time inside the Fisher Houses helping the manager by doing projects, lending an ear when guests need someone to talk to, or providing a shoulder to cry on. There are opportunities for groups to visit and host a bingo night or take care of landscaping projects as well. These are just a few examples of ways volunteers help make Fisher Houses so special.
Every member of the Fisher House teams, from the managers to the housekeeping staff to the volunteers, brings a special touch that makes Fisher Houses feel like home. The love that can be felt in every house comes from those who give their time and talent to help those who are dealing with difficult situations. The attention volunteers give add that extra comfort allowing Fisher House guests to focus on the healing journey of their loved ones.
“I love talking to the guests. There is a connection that feels like family,” said Cassie, a volunteer at the Fort Bliss Army Fisher House. “I want to give back to those who have done so much.”
BMO:
Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In 2023, our social impact included more than $84 million donated to hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations across North America to help drive progress by enabling individuals to thrive and communities to prosper. Our colleagues spent almost 62,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $31.2 million of donations through our annual employee giving program.
BMO is a long-time partner of United Way in its mission to support agencies that build and directly serve neighbourhoods throughout North America. Over the last decade, the BMO employee-drive campaign has raised more than $200 million delivering on its aim to be a Purpose-driven organization with a culture of giving back. BMO employees come together every year to reach beyond and Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, by making donations to thousands of organizations.
BMO Walk so Kids Can Talk takes place on the first Sunday each May across communities in Canada. It is Canada’s largest nation-wide walk, in support of young people’s emotional well-being. BMO is a founding member of Kids Help Line and their annual BMO Walk so Kids Can Talk campaign. Since 2020, Kids Help Phone has had over 17.5 million interactions with young people. BMO Walk so Kids Can Talk is just one of the may ways BMO bring Purpose to life. By registering and fundraising for BMO Walk so Kids Can Talk, you can help ensure young people across Canada have full and equitable access to free, 24/7, confidential e-mental health services that support their well-being and resilience – whenever and however they need it. In the last five years, thousands of colleagues and their friends and families have raised over $8 million to support youth mental health via the annual Walk. The 2024 Walk events will take place on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 17 sites from coast to coast and virtually. Colleagues, family, and friends are invited to register and fundraise individually or as part of a team.
The spirit of volunteering is at the heart of BMO culture and is one of the ways we act on our commitment to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. Volunteering – whether in person or virtually – is a great way to connect with our community, share our passion with others, and help close the fairness gap to create a level playing field for all. BMO supports our employees to grow the good in their community. #ProudToWorkAtBMO
This post is part of our National Volunteer Week content series, featuring the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Volunteer Program, supported by London Drugs.
There’s still time to apply to volunteer for the Games if you haven’t already. The application period closes on April 30th and all you need is enthusiasm, adaptability, a positive outlook, and willingness to learn. Locals in Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky corridor are strongly encouraged to submit an application to volunteer. It takes less than five minutes to apply, and only a few days of your time to gain the experience of a lifetime!
To apply to volunteer, register below!
