Volunteering, a love story

By Karolyne B. and Charles R., WWF-Canada volunteers in Montreal since 2012
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, from April 12-19, WWF-Canada has asked its volunteers to tell their most memorable volunteering experience with the Panda family. Here’s what Karolyne and Charles had to tell us.

It all started because I wanted to get information about red pandas, a vulnerable species, and immediately WWF came to mind. The environment is a topic close to my heart, so I also asked about a summer job with the organization. There were not any opportunities at the time, but the organization suggested a volunteer option. While I wasn’t sure it would be the best fit for me, I decided to try.
What a good decision! The experience further developed my passion for the environment. Volunteering is an activity that brings people together, across all levels of abilities and knowledge. Yes, there are organizers and people who have “titles,” but the goal remains the same, HAVE FUN! This ease allows us to share that happiness and sense of accomplishment with our surroundings.
So that’s why, during the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Verdun, I decided to invite my best friend Charles to the event. And of course, it was such a good cause, he couldn’t resist me. Something new was born.
Volunteering together for WWF-Canada events brought me to Montreal more often from Sherbrooke (Quebec) – where I study now – allowing us to get even closer over our new shared passion, volunteering.
So this is how our love with a capital L was born. Thereafter, everything got entangled, the love between us and volunteering. Through time, together or not, volunteering will be part of our life – it’s so rewarding, we won’t stop!