Reigniting the Peace: FSJ looks to relight the flame of volunteerism
FORT ST. JOHN – Volunteers have long been the backbone of the North Peace, making everything from kids’ sports to community crime prevention, to cultural activities possible. But in recent years, the number of people giving their time to run events and organisations in the region has declined, even leading to some of these long-standing features of the community disappearing.
But the City of Fort St. John has a plan to reignite volunteerism in the community, by launching the first ever Volunteer Month.
In a presentation to Council on March 23, City staff described their plan and asked that Council proclaim April 2026 Volunteer Month in the city.
“In Fort St. John, volunteer contributions are woven into everyday community life. Often quietly, and often without formal recognition,” Corporate Officer Bonnie McCue told Council.
“Fort St. John has a strong tradition of community involvement, with residents giving their time and skills to support local organisations, events and services. However, like many communities across Canada, volunteer participation has been changing in recent years,” Economic Development Manager Stephanie Peters added.
Some of those changes include what Northern BC Crime Stoppers’ president Kyle MacDonald described as the “aging out” of volunteers, in an interview with the broken typewriter in January. MacDonald discussed the reasons that the Fort St. John and District Crime Stoppers folded in 2020. Covid and the aging out, he said, were the top reasons.
Other organisations have seen this too. People who started volunteering as young people for whichever activity or service group they were interested in, aren’t being replaced by the younger generations.
In some organisations, presidents are staying on for years after they planned to step down, but don’t, because they want to make sure that the events, organisations and activities that make our community what it is continue without interruption. While some events, like the Fort St. John Rodeo, disappeared for a time.
“As community needs and the ways people choose to give back continue to evolve, there are opportunities to refresh how to recognise volunteers and encourage participation,” Peters said.
Volunteer Month is an opportunity to celebrate community contributions, highlight local stories and encourage participation “in ways that fit people’s lives,” McCue said.
The City hopes to ignite volunteerism by “celebrating the incredible efforts already happening in Fort St. John.
“Volunteers contribute in big and small ways every day, supporting local organisations, events, emergency responses, recreation and community services that many of us rely on,” said McCue.
By focussing on celebrating volunteer impact in the community, City staff plan to lead by example with staff stories and inviting community stories of volunteerism and highlighting the personal benefits of volunteering.
“This is an opportunity to build community and community connection. Rather than focussing on long-term commitments, the invitation to ignite volunteerism emphasises flexibility and choice, helping residents see that volunteering can fit different interests, schedules and stages of life,” said Communications Manager, Ryan Harvey.
“Overall, the message is clear. Volunteering enriches lives and our community. Both for the people who give their time, and for the community as a whole. Everyone can participate in a way that works for them.”
With the snow melting, one of the first opportunities of Spring to get out and make a difference in the community, is during Pitch-In Week, which runs from April 19 to 25. Earth Day lands smack in the middle of the week and helping preserve our environment by pitching in to clean up the roadside debris, is a good way to give back to the community.
Anyone interested in participating in Pitch-In Week, is asked to register by April 10 by following this link. There is a lot of snow out there still, and although the City is hoping it will be gone by April 19, staff is prepared to push the Pitch-In day back if necessary.