This week is National Volunteer Week (April 19th – 25th, 2020)! Join us as we celebrate the incredible people who choose to take time out of their lives to volunteer with us. To ALL of our volunteers – we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Sydney and Mary Lee Novecosky – BB4CK Pre-Pack Volunteers
Sydney and her mother, Mary Lee, volunteer on Wednesday mornings as part of the pre-packing team getting each school’s bins established with fruit, veggies and snacks before the sandwiches are added and sent out. They organize and make sure there is the right amount of snacks, fruits and vegetables in each order placed. They have been volunteering since December 2019, and Sydney says “I have been enjoying every moment.”
The Novecosky family learned about BB4CK about 10 years ago when their kids were in elementary school. Mary Lee notes, “when we heard about the organization, we found that it was a charity that our kids could relate to and they wanted to help out in some way.” Sydney decided to collect donations for her birthday in lieu of receiving presents from friends and family, and donated the money to BB4CK. Over the years they tried to donate whenever they could as they know how important this charity is in helping so many kids and families. Sydney chose BB4CK because she had researched all about what they did, and wanted to join the BB4CK community as she thought it was just an amazing organization. She also thought it was very fitting that she chose to support BB4CK as she was also a kid, and seeing how kids her age were not fortunate to have their own lunch encouraged her to help.
Sydney and Mary Lee love volunteering with BB4CK! Mary Lee enjoys volunteering “because I know that it is directly and immediately helping kids in our city that are in need. I am able to volunteer my time around my work schedule and I leave the kitchen feeling fulfilled that I have helped a great cause in some small way. As I am packing the bins, I think about the kids receiving lunches that day and especially when the kitchen has prepared special baking for Christmas or Valentine’s Day, for example, that will especially brighten their day.” Sydney loves volunteering because she wanted to be a part of a community that gives back and makes a difference in people’s lives, especially kids her own age.
Sydney’s favourite part of volunteering with BB4CK “would have to be the people. They are such a great group to work with and are all motivated to give back. We all put on some music in the kitchen and are moving to the music while everyone is at their stations. Everyone is smiling and having a good time even though it’s 6:30 in the morning. The whole place is filled with positive energy and everyone is so friendly and welcoming.” Mary Lee echoes her daughter’s sentiments, adding “everyone is there because they want to be, and they are fun to be with. The vibe in the early morning is very positive, a very inviting atmosphere and it is a great way to start the day. I really enjoy sharing this time with my teenage daughter, Sydney, and getting to know the other lovely volunteers as well. Kimberly is a delight, and always so cheerful. The best time of the morning is when she arrives and gets us energized with music and laughter. The kitchen gets pretty busy after that!”
We are so fortunate to have volunteers like Sydney and Mary Lee who are inspired to take meaningful action to help feed Calgary’s kids. We couldn’t do what we do, without you!
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