Amanda Herbert probably had a longer Easter Monday than most. As late (or early) as 1:30 a.m., she had her nose to the grindstone for something important to her: Yellowknife’s very own volunteer website.
“I was trying to get it up and running over the long weekend,” she chuckled.
Herbert’s website, ‘Yellowknife Volunteers,’ has been operational for a few weeks now.
“One of my goals was to get the site up and running before the summer disaster response season started,” she said. “Because I see it, too, as potentially being a resource for the community.”
Herbert said she noticed people posting on social media looking to help out last summer, but it’s not always obvious where to direct those efforts.
“People want to help but it’s not quite clear how they could.”
She’s hoping her website will make it a win-win for people who want to volunteer and community groups looking for some assistance.
“So when we’re in an emergency, it may be useful for that as well.”
Even during its early days, Herbert said she’s gotten some feedback from her website already.
“People have been really warm to it.”
The site has its place for emergencies, but there’s a more casual side to it as well. Potential volunteers could be youth looking for high school credits or newcomers seeking to meet people.
Herbert also mentioned events like Folk on the Rocks and Ramble and Ride as occasions when her site could come in handy.
“I’m hoping that, throughout the summer, we’ll get different volunteer opportunities up there,” she said. “And if people are looking for something fun to do this summer then maybe they’ll consider volunteering.”
Herbert has been part of various communities in Canada, moving every few years or so. For her, volunteering brings people together.
“It’s been a way to connect with all the new communities that I’ve come into,” she said.
Despite having moved around so much, Herbert added that Yellowknife is her favourite place so far.
“I imagine I’ll be here a little longer than most places,” she said.
National Volunteer Week was recognized April 14-20. Herbert said she’s hoping as word gets out, more people will realize the value in their city’s non-profits that could use some volunteers, even well beyond that themed week.
“Part of it too is having a platform for all of these non-profits and charities,” she said. “I myself reached out to probably 100 of them in the last month or so, but I think that there’s probably at least another 100 that I’m missing.”