The power of community was on full display this past weekend (Sept. 25-26) in Burnaby as numerous volunteers worked together to help others.
Hundreds of Global Ismaili CIVIC volunteers across B.C. participated in providing more than 2,500 hours of community service.
In Burnaby, volunteers of all ages worked together at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank sorting and packaging food in the warehouse while dozens of others helped remove invasive ivy at Burnaby Lake Park on Sunday morning to help maintain the lakes' natural vegetation.
Volunteer leaders were on hand to give out maps and supplies to those that wanted to participate at the park.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley was on hand at the start of the Burnaby Lake cleanup, also joined by Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA Anne Kang and City Councillors Pietro Calendino, Mike Hillman and James Wang.
"Volunteerism is what makes our community rich and volunteerism through diversity benefits our entire community so much- we all learn from one another," he said.
Across the world, more than 20,000 volunteers are pledging more than 100,000 hours of services in their communities.
"The ethic of volunteerism – exemplified by our centuries-old tradition of giving back to improve the lives of others – is reflective of Islam’s core values of peace, compassion and care for those in need," President of the Ismaili Council of British Columbia Samir Manji said.
"These ethical practices are embodied by our Ismaili CIVIC volunteers, who are continuously looking for ways to positively impact the quality of life of all British Columbians."
