Calgarians looking to give back to their community gathered Tuesday for the 2025 Calgary Volunteer Fair, an event aimed at reversing declining volunteerism rates and connecting citizens with more than 60 non-profit organizations. The event featured 61 non-profits seeking help for causes ranging from youth mentorship and domestic violence support to cancer care and food security. “Volunteerism is a cornerstone of community well-being, yet many communities are experiencing a decline in volunteer engagement,” said Alexandra Kryska Grams, president of the Calgary Volunteer Fair. “One of the main barriers that we notice is lack of awareness – and we heard that through studies, as well as through hearing from different attendees in past years and from our organizing exhibiters,” said Kryska Grams. “If you come here today and find something that works for you, and find your perfect volunteer opportunity, that’s amazing, but if you just leave with a sense of awareness of what’s out there and what’s needed, and then find your volunteer opportunity another way, we’re happy with that too.” The economic pressures facing many Calgarians have added additional hurdles for volunteerism, Grams said. “Affordability makes it tougher to volunteer. Affordability means we need more volunteers, so we have to do what we can to raise awareness. (We) try and find those spots where people can fit something that works for them.” For many non-profits, volunteers are critical. Mick Boisselle, community coordinator for Special Olympics Alberta in Calgary, says without volunteers, his organization’s programs would not function. “They’re the reason our programs run,” Boisselle said. “Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to run the programs for our members.” Boisselle says the need for volunteers is urgent. “Right now, I think I have a golf program that we’re short of five volunteers for, that starts next week,” he said. “Ultimately, it’s a lifeline for our athletes that they get to experience the sports with our volunteers.” Riley Budd, founder of the youth-led group Be A Budd, says his organization needs support to continue raising funds for the Superheroes Hockey Program, which offers sports opportunities to children. “It’s pretty cool to see all these 14 (and) 16-year-old kids trying to make an impact, trying to do some good,” Budd said. While the group is open to new players and youth participants, Budd says they are especially in need of adult volunteers who can help with logistics and administrative support. “As kids, it’s hard to run something this big – and it’s growing, which is amazing, but that also means we have to keep up,” he said. “Running social media, running the silent auctions… it’s a lot to handle. So being at this fair is great. It’s an amazing opportunity for us to find that support and that help to hopefully make all this run smoothly.” Opeyemi Oyefeso with the African Cancer Support Group says his organization provides culturally appropriate support for Black Canadians dealing with cancer, but needs more volunteers to meet growing demand. “We would say that they are the heart of our organization, because we’re a new organization, and we need as much help as we can,” Oyefeso said. “We don’t say no to anyone from different backgrounds, because cancer doesn’t care who you are.” Among those seeking volunteer opportunities Tuesday was Violeta Faulkner, a master’s student hoping to find a role connected to her studies in children’s health. “Helping people is the passion and a drive in itself,” Faulkner said. “Even when I have a busy life.” Owen MacPherson, another visitor to the fair, says he was impressed by the variety of groups represented. “There’s a few of these ones that I recognize the names of, but then there’s so many organizations I didn’t even know existed,” he said. Calgarian Jamie DeNovo says she was at the fair searching for a meaningful way to contribute. “I’m looking for the opportunities where I can help make a difference, because there are so many people and so many worthy underdogs that could really just use that helping hand,” she said. The event was supported by Volunteer Alberta, the Government of Alberta and the Calgary Foundation. A full list of participating non-profits can be found at www.volunteerfair.ca.
