By Julia Lim
Despite the cold weather compared to last year, thousands of Winnipeggers and visitors gathered around downtown to watch the 108th Annual Winnipeg Santa Claus parade, one of the most significant event in the city. Around 75 floats participated, but of course, the main highlight and what the kids are excited about is Santa’s Float.
For so many years now, JCI Winnipeg has always been a non- profit organization of young active citizens age 18 to 40 who are engaged and committed to creating a positive impact in their communities. JCI establishes platforms for community volunteering and active participation in various social activities. Our primary goal is to better our community and help combat the United Nations strategic Development goals such as:
No poverty,
Zero hunger and
Sustainable cities and communities.
In the past, JCI Winnipeg has been a part of the Santas Claus Parade committee since the 70’s. Here is an official blog of JCI Winnipeg www.jciblogspot.ca
This year, the afternoon started off JCI Winnipeg with the hosting of our Annual Santas workshop for inner-city youth and families. We invited NEEDs family center and other inner-city youth agencies. JCI Winnipeg members and a team of volunteers spent time with around 200 kids and their families, provided lunch and also created a friendly environment for every participant. JCI also offered free professional photographs taken of each child and families with Santa for free before the parade starts. Outside the workshop, JCI team and volunteers were busy serving hot chocolate with any donations made to JCI Winnipeg which will be given back to Winnipeg Harvest. It was indeed a success with the help of all the volunteers and sponsors who voluntarily donated food and time.
Benefits of volunteering
“Many studies have proven that volunteering indeed maintains physical health; has positive effects on mental health/subjective well-being (Choi, 2003; Willigen, 2000; Wilson & Musick, 1999); reduces depressive symptoms (Li & Ferraro, 2006); and then decreases mortality (Boyle, Barnes, Buchman, & Bennett, 2009; Oman, Thoresen, & McMahon, 1999).”
According to Danielle Hueging, “As for what got me involved personally, it was a fun way to take an active role in being part of the type of community I want to call home… we all like the idea of fun, family oriented things to do but those activities and projects take dedicated effort, and getting to work with like-minded community members is a big win as well.! Sometimes is just about enabling others to get involved because they don’t know where to begin. Whatever it is, I can honestly say that many hands make light work and if it weren’t for the efforts of volunteers the event would not be able to happen.” (Community advocates/ JCI Winnipeg former president)
From my observation, young volunteers are eager to participate next year in any community work organized by JCI. This passion to volunteer is also a sort of experiential learning for the kids within the city. It is not just about giving help to the people that are in need but giving a part of oneself and learning by “experience” through helping others.
I have also dedicated my time to volunteering which has made a pivotal change in my career as a Life Coach and a Community Advocate. As an oncoming JCI Winnipeg president 2018, one of my strategic goals is to promote volunteerism and benevolent altruism among the youths while developing competent core skills such as time management, analytical and problem-solving skills, cultural competence, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence. Volunteering also helps them to build skills in public speaking; Nurture my active citizenship and interest in service to the community. It also helps them learning new things, meeting new people, hopefully working with people and teaching people new things as well.
In conclusion, volunteering encourages young people to be empathetic and compassionate towards others. One of JCI missions is to get young adults more involved in the community through volunteering, a learning experience that fosters compassion and positive attitude. No matter one’s age, culture, religion, beliefs, and status in the community, we can all learn from each other and volunteering is one of the tools to help others while making a difference.
For more information on how you can help JCI Winnipeg or be part of our chapter, to empower young people to create a positive change, please kindly contact Julia Lim, visit our website www.jciblogspot.ca or email us at jciwinnipeg@gmail.com
On behalf of all of us at JCI Winnipeg, we want to wish everyone all the best this year!
__________________________________________
Reference
Chen, L. (2016). Benefits and dynamics of learning gained through volunteering: A qualitative exploration guided by seniors’ self-defined successful aging. Educational Gerontology, 42(3), 220-230. doi:10.1080/03601277.2015.1108150
Leave a Reply