Meet the people who make the CN Tower Climb work

More than 400 volunteers help make this weekend’s CN Tower Climb for Nature run smoothly. Here are just a few them.
TELUS is proud to be the presenting sponsor of WWF’s volunteering program, championing passionate and hardworking conservation volunteers for the future.

Jocelyn Cerezo

Every year, the self-described volunteer addict rallies her friends and family to help distribute T-shirts, finishing times and huge congrats to those who participate in WWF’s CN Tower Climb for Nature, this year taking place on April 16 and 17. The excitement is contagious. But the best part of her day is volunteering as a family. “Children watch everything you do,” she says. “By giving back to the community, you show them first-hand how volunteering makes a difference and how good it feels to help others.” For Jocelyn, that is worth getting the family up at 5 a.m. on the weekend.

Jocelyn Cerezo at the 2015 CN Tower Climb for Nature
Jocelyn Cerezo, bottom left with the scarf, her crew and WWF staff at the 2015 WWF-Canada CN Tower Climb for Nature. © WWF-Canada

Mike Cole

When registration opens at 6 a.m. on April 16 and 17, 2016, Mike and his dedicated team will be tasked with collecting the donations participants have received for WWF’s CN Tower Climb for Nature. It was a passion for the environment that got him involved with WWF-Canada 11 years ago, and he’s been volunteering at the climb ever since. “My favourite part of the day is the energy,” he says. That momentum drives him through the morning, and once the contributions are collected and counted, it is his turn to hit the steps up the tower. This year is Mike’s ninth climb.

Mike Colle at the 2015 WWF-Canada CN Tower Climb for Nature.
Mike Cole at the 2015 WWF-Canada CN Tower Climb for Nature. © WWF-Canada

Alice Bao

Alice is team captain this year for her company’s climb. It’s her second trek to the top, but she’ll join the WWF team the day before to help welcome and register volunteers. “Lending energy and time to value-driven initiatives is very important to me. It’s the feeling of being part of something bigger.” Alice also volunteers with her “Panda Family” by calling past climbers to remind them about the event. The Climb for Nature lets her reconnect in person with those who share the same passion for WWF’s conservation efforts. “Making these connections is rare and it’s powerful.”

Alice Bao at WWF-Canada’s annual public meeting.
Alice Bao at WWF-Canada’s annual public meeting. © WWF-Canada

Correction: Mike Cole’s surname was misspelled in an earlier version of this blog post.