SPLC's Volunteer Recognition Event

A helping hand and a smiling face is better than anything – that’s Ira Balasubramaniam’s approach to life and the reason she dedicates so much of her personal time to volunteering with SPLC. Congrats to Ira Balasubramaniam

An avid volunteer since 2014, Ira banked 1,134 hours last year volunteering with various teams and programs at SPLC including Security Check, Friendly Visiting, Recreation, Health Promotion, and Centre Shop. Among her favourite tasks, she especially enjoyed volunteering in the Centre Shop where she would work for 3.5 hours a day, five days a week before the pandemic.

Ira is one of 408 people who dedicated their time and efforts volunteering with SPLC in 2019. This week, SPLC hosts the 2020 Virtual Volunteer Recognition Event to honour all of our extraordinary volunteers who are instrumental to helping SPLC to remain a vibrant community for all of us. Normally, an annual banquet would be held in spring, but because of the pandemic, a virtual celebration is being held in its place.

“Even though we cannot meet in person right now, we did not want to miss the opportunity to show our appreciation to SPLC’s volunteers who each give so much and work so tirelessly throughout the year,” said Diane Duncan, SPLC’s Executive Director. “Our volunteers are very much at the heart of SPLC, helping to ensure our important programs continue to thrive. We are thankful for their dedication.”

Among those to be acknowledged at the recognition event will be 58 volunteers who have been providing virtual support since the pandemic began. When communities were forced to lock-down, SPLC had to cancel many of its vital programs and services. With the help of volunteers, some of our programs and services have been, for the first time ever, offered virtually. These volunteers stepped up to support many of the programs that have helped keep our community connected and engaged including ESL classes, Chinese karaoke events, virtual social gatherings, and friendly visiting.

This year’s Volunteer Recognition Event will include a virtual social gathering, volunteer sharing, a raffle, and the annual Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards for hours volunteered, and Service Year Awards announcement. There will also be a talent show that includes a dance performance by Ira’s teenage grand-daughter who also volunteers at the Centre Shop in the summer when it is open.

Ira is proud her grand-daughter has followed in her footsteps to volunteer her time at SPLC. “We all have to help each other and whatever we can do, we should do that,” she said.

Thank you to all SPLC volunteers!

Congratulations to the following Gold, Silver & Bronze Award recipients

Gold Award