Blog  May 3, 2012

When volunteering fulfills your passion

Apple at work on the Donor Living Wall (Photo: Clarine Lee-Macaraig)

Almost 4,600 people volunteered their energy, skills (and sweat) for Evergreen in 2011. It’s an honour to us that so many people believe so deeply in creating the future of green cities, and care enough to give their precious time! In return, we want to ensure that volunteers have a valuable experience and the ability to utilize their greatest strengths while pursuing their passions.

One such passionate volunteer is Apple, who has volunteered each week at Evergreen Garden Market since September 2011. A constant presence on Saturday mornings––helping wherever there is a need and at special Garden Market events—Apple really shines when she is caring for the Donor Living Wall in the Young Welcome Centre.

Since Apple has taken ownership of maintaining the Living Wall, the plants have been sitting a little straighter and looking a little greener. It’s probably because she takes a “leaf-by-leaf” approach—humming and chatting softly with each of the almost 300 individual plants—as she lifts up every leaf and meticulously waters the roots and removes dry leaves. On occasions when she cannot volunteer, Apple tells her Evergreen manager, “If I don’t come in the Wall misses me! I feel like every single leaf knows me.”

This type of commitment and pride means so much to us. Apple is an exceptional example of how you can cultivate your talents and interests by matching them to a volunteer role that is right for you.

Learn more about joining the Garden Market Greener volunteer team, or other volunteer opportunities where you can share your passion at Evergreen.