PORT COQUITLAM, BC – March 19, 2021… Port Coquitlam is looking for stories about volunteers who have helped the community get through the pandemic over this last year.

The City is inviting the community to submit stories and photos by April 11 to portcoquitlam.ca/volunteerstories, showcasing the people, businesses or groups that have provided unpaid help or support to others in Port Coquitlam over the past year.

The submitted stories and images will be shared with the community as a way to build community spirit. 20 entries will be randomly selected to win $100 gift cards – sponsored by Fortis BC – to the Port Coquitlam business of their choice. The campaign, entitled Volunteers Help Get Us Through, is a reformatting of the annual Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Awards event held each spring given large gatherings are not permitted at this time.

“One of the silver linings of the pandemic has been seeing the community come together, and particularly how many people have gone above and beyond to support others,” Mayor Brad West said. “Although we can’t hold our regular volunteer event, this is a way that we as a community can honour, recognize and thank those who have helped others get through this challenging time and shown the true spirit of Port Coquitlam.”

Submissions can be made either by those who received the help or by those who provided it. To be eligible for the prize draw, the act of support needs to have taken place in Port Coquitlam over the course of the pandemic and should be clearly described in the submission, including why it was needed or appreciated.

Some examples of typical submissions would be people who shopped and ran errands for those who were at high risk, children who created artwork to brighten other people’s day, or businesses or organizations that provided free food or beverages to front-line or emergency workers. The accompanying photo can be of the volunteer, the recipient, or representing the act of support.

The volunteers highlighted in each story will be presented with a commemorative pin and a city branded mask. Individual and households may submit more than one story and image, but each household will only be eligible to win one of the 20 available gift cards.

The City’s 2021 volunteer recognition efforts will again be sponsored by Fortis BC, which supported Port Coquitlam’s awards for 22 consecutive years.

“The true spirit of volunteerism isn’t about reward, it’s about helping others,” said Cllr. Nancy McCurrach, Council’s designate for arts, culture and heritage matters and 2017 recipient of a Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Award for Caring & Safety. “Sharing these stories will be a great way to encourage volunteers and inspire others in the community. We’re thankful for Fortis BC’s support again this year to do that.”

The City will share the submissions on social media and website throughout National Volunteer Week, April 18 to 24.

Submission details and an online form can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/volunteerstories.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca