"Only a life lived for others is worth living." Albert Einstein
Volunteering isn’t easy, but it definitely has its benefits. Whether you are coaching your kid’s soccer team or cleaning up oil spills, volunteers serve a great purpose and are some of the most valuable team members. We spoke to one of our volunteers, Thomas Argolo Bittencourt de Oliveira, about the importance of volunteering and how it has helped him grow as a person. Here’s what Thomas had to say about his experiences as a volunteer at the ANIDA foodbank.
1. How did you hear about this opportunity?
“I have been volunteering for ANIDA for about one year now. After I arrived here in Canada and started working, I wanted to do some volunteering work, but most of the postings I found involved making calls. Since I had arrived in Canada not too long ago, I didn’t feel too comfortable with that. I looked at online sites and found the ANIDA Food Bank posting, which interested me a lot because it was similar to the volunteer work I did back in my home country, Brazil. So, I sent my resume and cover letter, and after an interview over the phone, I was called in for an Orientation Session, filled some forms, and started volunteering here.”
2. What was the best part about volunteering here? What do you like the most about volunteering here?
“There are so many good aspects that it is hard to choose just one. The team is amazing and diverse. I love spending whatever free time we have to know them better, learning about their background and history. I also like the fast-paced environment, there is always something to do, and there is never a dull moment. But above all else, I like the fact that we can help people in need and to see the smiles on their faces, and to know that the work we perform at the ANIDA Food Bank makes a difference.”
3. What skills have you learned or improved on ever since you joined ANIDA?
“At ANIDA Food Bank, we have an ever-changing environment, and no one day is like the other. Some days we have an abundance of volunteers, and we have more time to do some extra work like reorganizing the food shelves and unloading the food hampers that get delivered. Other days we are very short on personnel, and we have to focus on distributing the hampers for those in need. I believe that working in this kind of environment has helped me to manage time better and to focus on the most relevant and urgent tasks.”
4. Has ANIDA inspired you or your future career choices in any way?
“If anything, it has reinforced what I have always wanted to do, and what I have been doing for most of my career, which is to help others and work towards creating a better society. For most of my life, I have worked in the public sector, and that is the kind of path I wish to keep following here in Canada, with the dream of becoming a police officer.”
5. When it comes to serving people, what characteristics or qualities do you think are the most important?
“There is a diverse number of circumstances and background stories behind each individual that we serve. It might be a temporary or a chronic situation, they might be facing harsh and adverse situations, and all of that might be making them feel overwhelmed. I believe not just serving them but having an upbeat attitude towards it while doing so is essential to help them not only in a material way but also on a spiritual level, to uplift them and show that there are people out there that care for them.”
Clearly, by volunteering, not only are you giving back to the community, but you are giving back to yourself as well. Everything you do when helping others ultimately grows your mind and heart. Also, it’s just a fun experience overall, getting to know people and seeing the seeds of change you plant. There are many opportunities out there. Make a move now and become a volunteer.
“I have been volunteering for ANIDA for about one year now. After I arrived here in Canada and started working, I wanted to do some volunteering work, but most of the postings I found involved making calls. Since I had arrived in Canada not too long ago, I didn’t feel too comfortable with that. I looked at online sites and found the ANIDA Food Bank posting, which interested me a lot because it was similar to the volunteer work I did back in my home country, Brazil. So, I sent my resume and cover letter, and after an interview over the phone, I was called in for an Orientation Session, filled some forms, and started volunteering here.”
2. What was the best part about volunteering here? What do you like the most about volunteering here?
“There are so many good aspects that it is hard to choose just one. The team is amazing and diverse. I love spending whatever free time we have to know them better, learning about their background and history. I also like the fast-paced environment, there is always something to do, and there is never a dull moment. But above all else, I like the fact that we can help people in need and to see the smiles on their faces, and to know that the work we perform at the ANIDA Food Bank makes a difference.”
3. What skills have you learned or improved on ever since you joined ANIDA?
“At ANIDA Food Bank, we have an ever-changing environment, and no one day is like the other. Some days we have an abundance of volunteers, and we have more time to do some extra work like reorganizing the food shelves and unloading the food hampers that get delivered. Other days we are very short on personnel, and we have to focus on distributing the hampers for those in need. I believe that working in this kind of environment has helped me to manage time better and to focus on the most relevant and urgent tasks.”
4. Has ANIDA inspired you or your future career choices in any way?
“If anything, it has reinforced what I have always wanted to do, and what I have been doing for most of my career, which is to help others and work towards creating a better society. For most of my life, I have worked in the public sector, and that is the kind of path I wish to keep following here in Canada, with the dream of becoming a police officer.”
5. When it comes to serving people, what characteristics or qualities do you think are the most important?
“There is a diverse number of circumstances and background stories behind each individual that we serve. It might be a temporary or a chronic situation, they might be facing harsh and adverse situations, and all of that might be making them feel overwhelmed. I believe not just serving them but having an upbeat attitude towards it while doing so is essential to help them not only in a material way but also on a spiritual level, to uplift them and show that there are people out there that care for them.”
Clearly, by volunteering, not only are you giving back to the community, but you are giving back to yourself as well. Everything you do when helping others ultimately grows your mind and heart. Also, it’s just a fun experience overall, getting to know people and seeing the seeds of change you plant. There are many opportunities out there. Make a move now and become a volunteer.