The first-ever Seniors Volunteer and Activity Fair drew a large crowd on Saturday, which Heather Treleaven, executive director of the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Katzie Seniors Network, said she wasn’t surprised to see.
“We always get a good turnout at our events,” said Treleaven.
“We have a fantastic community here in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Lots of people like to volunteer and be connected, so this is our opportunity to reinvigorate a number of groups after the pandemic.”
READ ALSO: Maple Ridge donates generously to Purolator food bank campaign
It wasn’t just seniors at the fair either, with people from all walks of life coming to check out the more than 30 local organizations that packed Golden Ears United Church.
“We were able to fill all our spots and even had a couple of folks that we had to turn away,” said Treleaven. “So hopefully next year will be even bigger and better.”
Among the many local organizations at the Seniors Volunteer and Activity Fair, were everything from sports clubs to emergency preparedness and environmental groups.
There were even groups with international roots like the Golden Ears Gogos.
This group of Maple Ridge grandmothers is part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which relies on collectives of elderly women across Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to help raise money and support grandmothers in parts of Africa that are faced with HIV epidemics and other struggles.
READ ALSO: Maple Ridge golfer gets second place at Canadian Women’s Senior Championship