Volunteering

Volunteers are an essential part of the operation and culture of the City of Port Coquitlam. They provide much-needed support in recreational programming, emergency preparedness and community services, environmental programs, and much, much more. The City is proud of and grateful for the citizens who offer up their time and energy to make our City what it is!

Volunteer Opportunities

The City of Port Coquitlam offers a number of volunteer opportunities, including:


Adopt a street, park or trail and help keep it clean and safe for the whole community by performing litter clean-up at least once a month and reporting any issues to the City. Learn more and apply.	Community Policing volunteers help to operate Port Coquitlam’s two Community Police Stations, assist with crime-prevention programs such as bike and foot patrols, and provide outreach and education at community events. Learn more and apply.

Emergency Preparedness Volunteers assist in educating the public on personal and emergency preparedness and helping staff to provide food, lodging, and other support for people impacted by emergencies and other disasters. Learn more and apply.	Recreation Volunteers providing a helping hand in children’s programs, community events, swim and skate lessons, and more. Learn more and apply.

Supporting Our Community

Many Port Coquitlam community organizations rely on volunteers to support their programs and events. Looking for a volunteer opportunity in Port Coquitlam, or looking for volunteers to support your Port Coquitlam-based organization or event? Please visit the resources below.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering with the City of Port Coquitlam is a great way to gain hands-on experience in a variety of leadership roles while enhancing your community. Volunteering has numerous benefits and is a great way to achieve personal success.

Here are just a few examples of the benefits of volunteering:

A chance to better your community
Be a positive role model and leader
Develop new skills
Gain experience and knowledge
Build your leadership skills
Explore career options

Connect with your community
Have a sense of achievement
Meet new people
Gain confidence
Share your talents and passions
Stay physically and mentally active

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteers play an important part in building the spirit of our community. Volunteer Spotlight highlights volunteers who have made an incredible impact on our City programs and events.

Volunteer Spotlight: Atharva Vaishampayan

by Rob Loxterkamp | February 6, 2023 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“There is nothing that compares to helping tots take their first steps on the ice.” Atharva Vaishampayan has been a volunteer with the City of Port Coquitlam since 2019. He had enjoyed ice skating since taking lessons as a child. Now, Atharva helps inspire that same...

Volunteer Spotlight: Aidan Kokotilo-Moen

by Rob Loxterkamp | October 4, 2022 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“Don’t give up!” Aidan Kokotilo-Moen is motivated by helping people and the fulfillment he gets out of it. He has always had an interest in policing and helping the community, so when he found an opportunity to join the City of Port Coquitlam’s Community Policing (CP)...

Volunteer Spotlight: Jacki Goring

by Ximena Ibacache | August 3, 2022 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“It’s important to give back and make someone’s day better if at all possible!” After attending one of the City’s Residential Emergency Preparedness training sessions back in 2014, Jacki Goring took the plunge and signed up to become an Emergency Preparedness...

Volunteer Spotlight: Michele Malmberg

by Katie Hayes | May 16, 2022 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

Michele Malmberg has been a volunteer with the City of Port Coquitlam since 2008. She first started volunteering with the Emergency Preparedness Program after being inspired by her parents’ own volunteer work there. In 2014, she also joined the Adopt-a-SPOT program to...

Volunteer Spotlight: Denis Sleightholme

by Ximena Ibacache | February 1, 2022 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“Helping each other makes us stronger.” Denis Sleightholme’s mantra for life is “helping each other makes us stronger.” Part of the way he has decided to help people was to join the City of Port Coquitlam’s Emergency Preparedness (EP) team as a volunteer in 2015....

Volunteer Spotlight: Fran Laidlaw

by Ximena Ibacache | October 5, 2021 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

Fran Laidlaw is a community-minded individual who has called Port Coquitlam home for the last 30+ years. During this time she has contributed to numerous community initiatives, inclusive of the RCMP’s victim services program and the City’s Bear Aware program. However,...

Volunteer Spotlight: Lori Nick

by Rob Loxterkamp | March 30, 2021 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“I really like having a Little Free Library in my neighborhood because I can see the community using it… as much as I’ve given in volunteer time, I’ve gotten way more back.” Lori Nick come by her love of reading honestly. Both of her parents were readers,...

Volunteer Spotlight: Ethan Jang

by Ximena Ibacache | January 26, 2021 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“Every shift, we meet new people and learn something new. I’m always proud that I can contribute my time to keep our community safe and stay connected with our community members.” Ethan Jang started volunteering with the Port Coquitlam Community Police Station’s...

Volunteer Spotlight: Caroline Sigrist

by Cheryl Broughton | March 26, 2020 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“It’s good to be involved in the community and to meet new people.” Caroline Sigrist grew up in Ontario; her father had been transferred to British Columbia and after a few visits she knew she would like it here and decided to make the move herself. She has been...

Volunteer Spotlight: Helen Mitchinson

by Rob Loxterkamp | February 28, 2020 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“If everyone stepped out of their house and picked up just one piece of litter, our community would be so much more beautiful.” Helen Mitchinson, a long time Port Coquitlam resident, has a weekly routine: she walks a two and a half kilometre stretch of Confederation...

Volunteer Spotlight: Lucas Hotra

by Ximena Ibacache | January 23, 2020 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

Lucas Hotra is a twenty-three year old Port Coquitlam resident and an active volunteer at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre. Lucas does an exceptional job organizing pool equipment and ensuring that the pool deck is clear and safe for participants. On top of volunteering,...

Volunteer Spotlight: Melia Rokosh

by Cheryl Broughton | December 17, 2019 | Volunteer | 0 Comments

“I loved the way it made me feel so accomplished to know that I was making a difference in their lives” Melia, a grade 12 student at Riverside Secondary School, is passionate about staying active and helping others. When she’s not studying or volunteering, Melia...

Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

Contact

Rob Loxterkamp
Volunteer Specialist, Recreation Department
Phone: 604.927.7953
Email: volunteer@portcoquitlam.ca

Location and Mailing Address

Recreation Department
#200 – 2253 Leigh Square
Port Coquitlam, BC
V3C 3B8

8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays)