*** Written February 13th
Our city is a little less now than it was last week. It’s likely that what led to the unfortunate news that the Prince George Relay for Life, which had been the country’s top relay for five years and peaked in 2017 raising half a million dollars, being permanently cancelled will have further impact on our community. It was cancelled because the organizers were unable to find enough volunteers.
Prince George has been blessed with a strong sense of community for over one hundred years. A community of people who valued their time and talents as treasures to be shared. It’s the volunteering of their time that to this day is the lifeblood of organizations that touch us in our day to day lives.
It’s that lifeblood that allows the Spruce Kings and PGARA to continue to operate. The hours spent coaching PG Youth Soccer or supporting the Air, Army, and Navy Cadet programs. The Girl Guide leaders who share their time teaching and mentoring young girls and youths. It’s those who see a need to help others and come out week after week for Saint Vincent du Paul and the Salvation Army.
The outpouring of volunteers that once could be counted upon for the Canada Winter Games, the World Women’s Curling Championship, and Coldsnap has started to dwindle. At a time when our city’s population is greater than it’s ever been, there are fewer people stepping up to give their time.
Like the rest of the world, our city shut down during Covid. For two years all of us stopped doing the things we were used to doing. We formed new habits and routines while we were forced to stay home. Things like Skipping the Dishes and binge-watching shows like Yellowstone and The Mandalorian became standard fare. The plus side of being housebound was that we connected more with our families as we played board games and built puzzles.
The downside of Covid was that as our habits and routines changed, we lost the connection we had with our community. Service organizations like Rotary and our Senior’s Centers have seen their membership and volunteers drop dramatically. The BC Summer Games that were hosted in Prince George struggled to find enough people to help make the event happen successfully.
In 2014 it was discussed (and then passed) to rebrand our city The Volunteer City, "It's in our nature." as we were the volunteer capital of BC with 62% of those aged 15 and over and were about to host the 2015 Canada Winter Games. It’s time that we started thinking again about how we can give back to our community.
What are your treasures of talents and interests that could be shared with others? The organizations where you could make a real difference are plentiful. There’s the Prince George Council of Seniors to start with. Or any one of the four Rotary clubs in town who have brought our city numerous parks, sports fields, and were instrumental in the formation of the Rotary Hospice House. Thanks to Volunteer Prince George you can browse a wide selection of opportunities for a match to the treasures you have to offer.
At a time when so many people are feeling disconnected, there is an added bonus of giving our time. It helps us care more for, and have a stronger connection to, one another. Prince George has been a better place to live because of our volunteer community. I would invite you to experience the joy of fellowship and join one of our city’s many service organizations or help with any of the amazing events going on in our community.
Photo Credit: Ted Clarke
Ted Clarke’s Article: Relay for Life Cancelled