滨迟鈥檚 National Volunteer Week 鈥撎齱hich at Dalhousie, really isn鈥檛 that different than any other week.
The university is full of students, faculty and staff who make time in their busy schedules to give back, whether here on campus or out in the community.
Steve Morley with MedIT has been coaching track and field for more than 20 years, with athletes ranging in age from elementary school to post-collegiate.
鈥湵醭兮�檚 probably about 20 hours a week,鈥� he says, adding that what makes it worthwhile are, 鈥渢he smiles on the faces of the kids, and on their faces when they come back the next day.鈥�
Mr. Morley is also a track athlete; he鈥檚 currently training for a 3,000 metre steeplechase in Saint John later this summer.
鈥淪ports have been very good to me over the years. I feel I should give back.鈥�
He鈥檚 not alone among Dal employees. In last year鈥檚 , 61 per cent of Dal employees said that they volunteer in the community outside of Dal, and 30 per cent volunteer their time on campus.
John Bullock, Dal鈥檚 information security manager, is a volunteer: he spends his lunch break every Friday with allen wrenches and air pumps at the Campus Bike Centre.
鈥淓ducation is a big part of what we do,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he goal is that bikers become self-sufficient in looking after their bike, but we鈥檙e there to help with tools and expertise on-site.鈥�
Dal鈥檚 students are eager volunteers, putting thousands of hours into community service. For example, there鈥檚 Residence Community Day, where residence students donate time to one of several local organizations, or听law student Alayna Kolodziechuk, recipient of this year鈥檚 Activist of the Year award at the 黑料吃瓜网Impact Awards. She writes political theatre performances and gives the proceeds to various charities.
For many, when volunteer opportunities align with a passion, the extra effort comes easily.
鈥湵醭兮�檚 almost a selfish thing, in a way, because of how much I enjoy it,鈥� says Mr. Bullock, a dedicated biker himself. 鈥淲hen you enjoy it, it doesn鈥檛 really feel like work. 滨迟鈥檚 just fun.鈥�
How do you give back to your community? Do you know a Dal volunteer who deserves kudos? Share in the comments.