by Micheline M. Fillion
Want to do something that makes a difference, to feel useful? Feel a need to occupy your free time in a more constructive way than by constantly re-watching all the episodes of The Walking Dead on repeat, or popping bubble wrap? One word: volunteer. There’s no lack of opportunities in Montreal, whether social, cultural, sporting or even political. Here’s a few of them, selected especially for you. [image credit: La Maison du Père]
Take your love of the arts, natural sciences or heritage to the next level by becoming a museum guide. Share your knowledge about the collections of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the McCord Museum, the Château Ramezay and the eclectic Redpath Museum, with its mosasaur and its Egyptian mummies.
Habitat for humanity aims to break the cycle of poverty by providing access to home ownership for low-income families. Dust off your construction helmet and join one of the volunteer teams that, armed with their agile hammers, are busy building or renovating living spaces. You can also get involved at the Restore centre, which offers new and used building materials.
Thanks to its volunteers in the kitchen and providing deliveries, caterer Santropol Roulant offers healthy and nutritious meals to people with decreasing independence, while breaking through their isolation. Organic meat and vegetables grown in the fields and gardens of Santropol provide the raw ingredients for menus that respect the dietary restrictions of each individual (vegetarianism, gluten intolerance, etc.). So, put on your apron, sport your best smile and contribute to the sustainability of this initiative.
Every summer, Montreal hosts mainstream cycling events, including the wildly popular Tour de l'Île and its nocturnal version, the appropriately named Tour la Nuit.Organised by Vélo Quebec, these events under the sign of the cycling deity would not be possible without the involvement of many benevolent volunteers (the bénévélos – yep, we’re not making it up!).
Is there that one crazy person in your group of friends who’s into extreme distance races like The Ultra Trail Harricana? If you want to cheer on your brave friends or discover this curious world of runners who won’t be stopped by night, mud, or bloody knees, join the ranks of volunteers in Malbaie in early autumn. If you’re an enthusiast of cross-country racing yourself, you may well find these safety tips helpful.
Tam-tams, picnics, walking, cycling, skiing (not forgetting the pot-bellied rats rummaging in the garbage): all this activity leaves an imprint on our Mount Royal, which also has to fend off voracious developers who are threatening to nibble plot-sized chunks from it. Thankfully, there’s the Amis de la montagne who are dedicated to protecting and enhancing and providing education about Mount Royal. Get involved in the environmental stewardship program or in the logistical side of the Friends’ many public awareness activities.
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Although dogs are omnipresent in indigenous communities (where they still play an important role), community-based veterinary services are virtually non-existent. So Chiots nordiques holds mobile clinics for sterilisation, vaccination and de-worming with the help of volunteer veterinarians. The organisation also relies on the involvement of professionals (legal, accounting, translation) and non-specialist volunteers.
Do the first notes of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 give you thrills? Do you dream of moving in the orbit (remote, even) of maestro Nagano? Quickly pay your annual membership fee and become a member of The OSM Volunteer Association. The organisation is responsible for arranging transport for guest artists, hosting the public at certain events (competitions, youth concerts, symphonic matinées) or guiding visitors to the Maison Symphonique, among other things.
At some point, you’ll most likely have signed a petition started by, or even made a donation to, Amnesty International. Great! There are other ways to support the work of this vital human rights organisation, by holding a fundraiser, for example, or taking part in one of the sports challenges.
Do you love the Montreal Comic Arts Festival? Why not support this annual celebration of speech bubbles, panels and storylines by volunteering for it? Your involvement will allow you to be in the front rows of the event and to have memorable encounters. While waiting for the 2018 event to come around, nurture your passion for comics and support our local authors.
Although we’ve already reached the magic number 10, we couldn’t possibly end this list without mentioning Accueil Bonneau, Maison du père, the Old Brewery Mission, Refuge des Jeunes and Rue des Femmes who provide essential resources – accommodation, meals, clothing, healthcare services, listening, and more – to thousands of homeless men and women. These organisations rely on people just like you to greet users, serve meals, do administrative work, organise fundraising activities; in short, there’s something for everyone, so get involved!
