In celebration of National Volunteer Week and Earth Week, the City of Colwood brought together community groups, volunteers, neighbours, families and friends for the first annual ConnectFest on Tuesday, April 21. There was such positive energy flowing at Colwood City Hall! Thanks to everyone who joined us.
Attendees took part in interactive displays and live demonstrations to learn about the many community volunteer groups that help shape life in Colwood. Among the groups were CENIC, Friends of Havenwood Parks, Arts & Culture Colwood, Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Centre Society, Colwood/View Royal Emergency Support Services, Emergency Radio Operators, Friends of Colwood Parks, PICK Colwood, ReImagine West Shore, Colwood Community Garden Society, and Colwood Community Resilience Collective.
Award presentations
There was also the final prize draw for the Show Us Your Mug Challenge and some important awards handed out during ConnectFest. Mayor Kobayashi joined the Citizens Environment Network in Colwood (CENiC) in presenting their Environmental Stewardship Awards.
Charlotte Gorely was recognized for her individual contributions as the founder of PICK Colwood who has been doing incredible work to lead litter pick events, conduct reasearch about sources and solutions to litter, and advance important waste reduction initiatives in Colwood.
The Friends of Colwood Parks was awarded the Organizational Environmental Stewardship Award. Stephan Doyle accepted the award as founder of this relatively new group in Colwood that has already achieved incredible results by bringing people together to remove invasives and restore natual areas in Colwood.
And the Business award went to ASH Refillery where you can refill your empty household cleaning and toiletry supplies to help reduce the waste of throwing away all those plastic containers for shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap, and more. Find ASH Refillery in the Thrify Foods plaza on Goldstream Avenue near Colwood Corners.
From park stewardship and community gardening to arts and culture, youth programs, climate action, food security, and neighbourhood initiatives—there’s always something exciting happening in our community.
Month-long volunteer recognition
In addition to the ConnectFest celebration, the City has been recognizing volunteers all month by sharing Volunteer Spotlights. See them on the City website, social media, and showcased on the wall at Colwood City Hall.
At the same time, generous local businesses have been recognizing volunteers as part of the City's Volunteer Perk Pass program that offers freebies and discounts in appreciation for their contributions. Thanks to Save On Foods , Royal Bay Bakery , Colwood Dairy Queen, ASH Refillery, Quality Foods, Westland Insurance, Red Barn Market, and Westshore Parks and Recreation.
Colwood Council's strong focus on community well-being
In 2024, Colwood Council became leaders in building community with the establishment of a Volunteer Coordinator position. Since then, the City has supported twenty community groups to form and involved more than 208 volunteers in community building initiatives.
Beyond supporting community groups, Colwood's Volunteer Program builds community, creates social connections, and combats isolation. The program hosts regular Colwood Community Group meet ups to connect, collaborate, socialize, innovate and plan together. It supports groups to engage volunteers by facilitating opportunities at City events and activities, and provides learning opportunities for group leaders, such as the Asset Based Community Building workshop in Victoria this past fall.
Colwood also works to support the health of all residents through the Colwood Clinic, and the safety and success of youth on the West Shore, not only by offering volunteer opportunities and providing resources for groups to involve youth, but also through the work of a Youth Engagement Coordinator who acts as a vital link for kids when school is challenging, recreation programming isn't a fit, and traditional counselling services aren't an option.
If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, have an idea for a new group to address a specific need in our community, or just want to learn more, please reach out! We're excited to work with you. www.colwood.ca/Volunteering
Media contact
Sandra Russell, Communications Manager
srussell@colwood.ca
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