With summer just around the corner, many in the local community are looking for ways to help others kick back and relax. This week, Union Gospel Mission hosted their annual Summer Connect initiative, a one-day event that aims to aid and lift up the Downtown Eastside community by providing on-site essential services to Vancouver’s most vulnerable.
Canadian Web Hosting participated in the event and volunteered in the kitchen where our team of volunteers prepared lunch to accommodate approximately 2,000 people that day. While we had a blast chopping, sprinkling, and wrapping in the kitchen, we also took time to enjoy the hard work everyone else was putting in at Summer Connect. The event had a variety of providers on site who were offering different services to those in need, such as hair cutting, nail care, pet care, tax returns, legal aid, part-time work, and more.
It was inspiring to see everyone come together in one place to help Vancouver’s most vulnerable residents and to see how supportive and accommodating the staff at UGM are. They truly want to make a difference in these people’s lives by helping them move past any barriers in their way.
Check out what our volunteers had to say.
Austin Kwok, Development Team
“This was my first time volunteering in the kitchen at UGM where I took on the role of wrapping wraps. Although it sounds simple, it was surprisingly difficult to keep all the food inside! It was great learning how UGM provides programs to help get people back on their feet in addition to offering food and shelter.”
Carl Incrocci, Data Center Operations
“I found the staff was very outgoing and friendly. I was impressed with the number of services they were providing to the homeless in Vancouver. I hope to volunteer again in the future!”
Karolina Kapusta, Marketing Team
“This was my first time volunteering in the kitchen at UGM. It was really great to be back after last volunteering during the holidays. The staff at UGM are extremely friendly and welcoming and it was really easy to get into the groove of volunteering. The most important part was knowing that all the food we were making was going to people who really needed it. It was exciting watching Summer Connect unfold and seeing all the wonderful service providers on site, ready to help out so many people in need.”
Theodore Chu, Marketing Team
“This is my second time volunteering at Union Gospel Mission and it was just as fun as the last time. UGM is always doing good things for the community, and their mindset is always focused on the individuals they are helping. To be a part of something so great is a rewarding feeling, I hope to find more opportunities to help the community!”
In a world that is burdened with poverty and addiction, Union Gospel Mission is determined to offer restoration to those in need. They do this by providing men, women, and children a hand up towards hope and recovery. Union Gospel Mission accepts volunteers and donations year-round. You can find out more about their mission and work here.
[…] Every year during the holidays, the team at Canadian Web Hosting heads to Union Gospel Mission to spread some holiday cheer and to give back to the community. This year was no different. UGM aims to assist communities to overcome poverty, homelessness and addiction and is an organization that we like to regularly support throughout the year. […]
[…] summer programs to holiday hampers to Thanksgiving meals, throughout the year the Canadian Web Hosting team […]