RCRG - Blog - June Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Wayne!
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More than 100 young leaders have graduated from the Youth Now program.
Each year, over 100 non-profit professionals attend our training opportunities.
Over two dozen non-profit organizations have participated in the Youth Now program.
The CCRR provides nearly 400 child care referrals per year.
On average, the CCRR hosts 30 workshops and training courses each year.
Every year, over 500 child care providers and parents attend CCRR training opportunities.
Every year, RCRG completes over 3,000 grocery orders for local seniors.
Nearly 300 seniors make use of our Better at Home services.
Our volunteer drivers complete more than 1,200 trips annually.
At least 350 people per year find a volunteer position using our Volunteer Match program.
Close to 500 volunteers support RCRG’s programs and services.
Volunteers contribute nearly 23,000 hours to our organization each year.
Each holiday season, the Richmond Christmas Fund helps more than 2,200 low-income residents.
Every year, the Christmas Fund provides over 600 children with toys, books, and sports equipment.
The Richmond Christmas Fund was first started by Ethel Tibbits, in the 1930s.
The number of Neighbourhood Small Grants we’ve awarded has increased every year since 2014.
Block parties are the most popular type of Neighbourhood Small Grant project.
Every year, the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre serves over 7,300 local women.
The Richmond Women’s Resource Centre currently offers 16 programs and services.
Nearly 60 volunteers support the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre, contributing nearly 2,500 hours per year.
Richmond is home to over 350 registered charities, all of which rely on volunteer support.
There are nearly 13 million volunteers across Canada.
International Volunteer Day is celebrated throughout the world on December 5.
There are 35 volunteer centres in British Columbia.
In 2016, the Foundation awarded 10 grants to non-profit organizations, worth a combined $59,000.
The Foundation manages $6 million in 60 Forever Funds, returning, on average, CPI plus 4%.
Between 2020 and 2022, the Foundation distributed $656,000 in grants, scholarships, charitable disbursements, and Emergency Community Support Funds.
Foundation activities result in the enhancement of our community and residents’ sense of belonging.
ROCA has raised over $21,000 for local charities.
ROCA has performed its Elementary School Concert Series to over 8,000 students.
ROCA provides mentoring and life changing opportunities for aspiring musicians.
The Richmond Arts Coalition was founded in November of 2005.
RAC co-produces the ArtRich exhibition every two years!
RAC highlights Richmond's arts events in a monthly email.
The Richmond Music School is the oldest not-for-profit music school in Richmond.
The Richmond Music School offers affordable music lessons through its diverse programming.
Our students performed 40 hours of music to welcome the Olympic athletes to the 2010 Olympic Games.
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RCRG Blog

June Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Wayne!

Published May 27, 2026

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers! To celebrate, we're highlighting a different RCRG volunteer each month. We hope that their inspiring stories help to Ignite Volunteerism in our community and encourage you to start your own volunteer journey.

Wayne Gibson’s volunteer journey spans decades, beginning in 1985 with the Canadian Ski Patrol, in Ontario. Over the years, his commitment to giving back has taken many forms - from serving three years on the national board of the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation to spending six years with the Richmond Gateway Theatre Society, including three as Vice Chair. Each experience has strengthened his appreciation for how volunteer leadership can support organizations and bring communities together.

After retiring four years ago, Wayne saw an opportunity to give back in a new and meaningful way. With more time on his hands, he joined RCRG as a Volunteer Driver for our Better at Home program, quickly discovering just how impactful this role could be. For Wayne, it’s the people he meets along the way that make volunteering so rewarding. The conversations, the gratitude, and the simple moments of connection all contribute to a sense of purpose that he finds both heartwarming and fulfilling.

In his Volunteer Driver role, Wayne helps seniors get to medical appointments, community activities, and social programs - providing not just transportation, but a sense of ease and reliability. His support helps reduce stress and allows those he assists to remain active and connected within the community. Knowing he’s making someone’s day a little easier is what continues to motivate him.

One of Wayne’s most memorable experiences highlights the impact of even the smallest gestures. A client he regularly drives speaks primarily Cantonese and greets him each morning in her language. Wanting to connect, Wayne learned how to say “Good morning” in Cantonese and began greeting her the same way. What started as a simple exchange quickly grew into shared smiles and a meaningful connection - showing how small efforts can go a long way.

Wayne also values the strong sense of community in Richmond and sees RCRG as a reflection of that spirit. He appreciates how people come together to support one another and believes that spirit of collaboration is what makes the community so special.

For Wayne, volunteering is about staying connected, giving back, and contributing in a way that supports others. His advice for those considering volunteering is simple: “Step up and step in - your contribution helps make Richmond a great city.”

Wayne’s story is a reminder that volunteering doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Whether through leadership or small, everyday interactions, each contribution plays a role in strengthening the community and making a lasting difference.