With National Volunteer Week 2026 taking place from April 19 to April 25, it’s the perfect time to recognize the volunteers across Canada and throughout the region. Those who dedicate their time in not only strengthening, but supporting their communities.
This year, Volunteer Canada has dubbed the theme of the week as “Ignite Volunteerism.” Building on the UN General Assembly’s proclamation of 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, Volunteer Canada is dedicating the entire year to inspiring people to reconnect with their communities through acts of service, civic action and mutual support.
But what does it mean to be a volunteer?
While some may hear the word and think of helping out with the Paris Fair, Canada Day, the John Noble Home, Brant Community Healthcare System, RibFest or coaching youth sports–all of which are great opportunities to get involved–there are some people out there that are volunteering their time to make their neighbourhoods a better, more lively place.
Currently, there are 24 active Neighbourhood Associations across Brantford that are working towards doing just that. These volunteer residents can often be found flooding local ice rinks, raking leaves or shoveling driveways for seniors. Other times they’re helping to put on free events for the community like art workshops and movie nights in the park. But above all else, many of these volunteers are creating opportunities to connect with others.
Chad Martin, chair of the Brantford Station Neighbourhood Association (BSNA), the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford (NAB) and the Brantford Poppy Project, said that’s what he strives to do everyday.
Outside of chairing various committees and organizations, Martin also sits on the museum board for the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum, volunteers with the Westfield Heritage Village in the cabinet maker shop, as well as the Bell Homestead, and he’s also a host gardener with Equal Ground Community Gardens.
His work with the BSNA and NAB often requires facilitating different events and connecting residents with fulfilling volunteer opportunities.
“I’ve said to every single volunteer that has approached me, ‘You tell me what you want to do and what you want to accomplish, and I will give you the tools and resources to make it happen,’” said Martin. “Whether it’s been in my past managing sales teams, my work with volunteers or coordinating all these different things that I’ve done, I’ve always had this attitude of, ‘If I can give you the support and resources to accomplish great things… then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.’ There’s no gatekeeping or blocking people from doing great things, if you’ve got a passion and energy, then I’m going to help support you in making that a reality. For me, the more you say yes, then the more people are happy and excited and want to do things. And when that happens, that just means things are better for the community, at least, in what I do in the volunteer space.”
While volunteering at the neighbourhood level may seem small-scale to some, Martin said that it often does wonders for those living in the area.
“When you’re happy and you feel comfortable, that happiness ripples out,” he explained. “If you’re in your yard laughing, having fun, and you’re open and saying hi to the neighbours, all of a sudden that neighbour is smiling and it just continues growing from there. I think everyone can agree, it doesn’t matter who or where you are, having a happy neighbourhood where people are open to talking, working with each other and helping each other… that’s where everyone wants to live.”
Martin said that in a world where we’ve never been so connected to what’s happening around us, yet often feel disconnected, it’s important to make an effort to connect with your community. He said that volunteering can be as simple as creating opportunities for connection. The BSNA, for example, recently started a public living room initiative. The concept is simple, set up multiple chairs in a park, bring a pot of tea and socialize.
“There was a person walking by so we offered them tea, and the next thing you know, he sat down and another person came by. In the span of an hour, I met seven new people from the neighbourhood. That’s all because we were sitting there in a circle, open to talking,” he said. “Those are the things that help push me to want to do more as a volunteer and as someone involved with the BSNA and NAB. Take the Brantford Poppy Project, we have these workshops we’re putting on, but the vision wasn’t just to produce poppies. From day one, I’ve said I wanted it to be an opportunity where people who all have something in common can come together, sit down at a table, chat, have fun and be part of the community. And that’s exactly what it’s become.”
Given that many organizations are still feeling the effects of losing volunteers because of the pandemic, Martin encouraged people to find something they’re interested in.
“If you’re interested in bikes, you could volunteer teaching kids bike safety at Heron Head Bikes with Stan Gorecki,” he offered. “If you’re interested in medicine, you can volunteer at the hospital. If you’re interested in food, see if you can get involved with the Food Bank! There are so many opportunities, you should have to find the one that speaks to you.”
“I think a lot of people believe that volunteering is going to be work or another job and they shy away from it, naturally, and I understand that. …But if you volunteer for something that you’re interested in, whatever it might be, that means all the other people who are there have similar interests as you,” Martin continued. “All of a sudden, you meet all these people and next thing you know, you’ve developed lifelong friendships. I encourage everyone to volunteer if they can. It doesn’t have to be another job, you can do it for an hour a week or ten, or you can do it once a month… it doesn’t matter. Every little bit you put in, helps whatever cause you choose to volunteer for.”
He said once you start volunteering, you can’t help but want to do more.
“Everything I’ve ever done volunteer wise, has never been about me, it’s about benefiting and improving the lives of people in the community. Knowing that I’ve contributed to something, is what’s rewarding… that’s what I get out of it. And once you start and you feel that joy, you want to do more because it’s worth it,” he said. “You know, I moved to Brantford in 2007 and started volunteering here in 2008, and as soon as I did that, is when I started referring to Brantford as home. I grew up in a small town; my family’s still there and that was home. There was always a separation between where home was and where I lived, but as soon as I started volunteering, all of a sudden, where I lived was now home and that’s a huge change.”
As far as how to get involved? Martin suggested attending a volunteer fair or simply reaching out to a community organization.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out, there are so many different organizations out there looking for help. If you want to help at a church, a community centre or in a neighbourhood, just get in touch with them; the worst they can say is no–which–they likely won’t. I know it’s hard to step out of your comfort zone, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet,” he said. “Even if you’re just walking in your neighbourhood and you see a rink crew, a snow buddy or people that are picking up litter, you can stop them and see how you can get involved or ask them more about it. Don’t be afraid to approach someone, send an email or make that phone call. Talk to the organization you’re interested in, ask them questions and see what’s involved. Finding the right opportunity for you could be easier than you think.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
