Local Volunteer Options

Voluntary Service

1 John 3:23-24 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

The pains in our world are undeniably great both in our home community and beyond. Within this pain, we are all humbly called to be servants wherever we are. One of the ways MCC has taken on the mandate of responding to societal concerns, is by identifying service placement locations and providing service workers to fill these assignments in BC and around the world.

The Voluntary Service Program has sought to be faithful to Christ's message of love and reconciliation by entering the lives of others and understanding their context, by sharing our talents, by listening, by building relationships. It is all about sharing Christ's love in a very practical way and learning more about the same.

Highlights for 1998-99
20 longer term and three short-term voluntary service personnel provided a Christian presence in BC. Assignments included working with physically and mentally challenged people; people in need of housing; mediation and community justice, single moms, employment concerns, environmental concerns, counselling and in various MCC-related stores and other services.Five young people were assigned to MCC's SALT International Program for 1999-2000. Six young people returned from their 1998-99 SALT assignments.

One young person was assigned to participate in MCC's one year Youth Internship Program. Two young people returned after participating in last year's Youth Internship Program.Partnering with two local Hispanic Mennonite churches through MCC's Summerbridge program. Each congregation has identified a volunteer to work at strengthening relationships between the host congregation and community for the summer months. Approval to place a service coordinator in Vancouver in order to take steps toward establishing a service unit and a stronger service presence in this major BC urban centre.

Sophie Tiessen-Eigbike, Coordinator
MCC has more than 900 volunteers at work in 50 countries worldwide. It is the work and sacrifice of these dedicated women and men who make MCC’s relief and development work possible. Volunteers do not need to belong to a Mennonite church, but they will be committed Christians who are committed to service and simple living.

Thrift Stores

MCC BC has six thrift stores whose combined income is more than a million dollars annually. The funds raised through the thrift stores go towards MCC’s work overseas. But Thrift Stores do more than that. They provide good quality used items for a fraction of what similar items would cost. They provide a way to recycle items that would otherwise end up in landfills. They provide an opportunity for volunteers to work together and build lifelong friendships.For more information on how to get involved, contact the Thrift Store nearest you:

• Abbotsford ,
  • Clothing Etc. - (604) 854 0017
  • Clearbrook Furniture & More - (604) 854 2062
• Chilliwack Thrift Store - (604) 792 3731
• Kelowna Thrift Store - (250) 763 1349
• Surrey Thrift Store - (604) 583 0456
• Vancouver Thrift and Furniture Store - (604) 325 1612
• Yarrow Thrift Store - 823 4344

Material Resources

Our warehouse has countless ways in which you can get involved. We send thousands of materials overseas every year, materials that need to be gathered, packed, and shipped. Here’s how you can help:

Kits: MCC sends School, Health, and Sewing kits and Layettes overseas. Each kit is compiled of specific items placed in a drawstring bag. One way to get involved is to sew these bags or the items contained in a Layette. Another is to pack or make a donation towards a kit. School and church groups often come to the warehouse to pack kits. Click here for kit list information.

Blanket Sewing: Volunteers are needed to sew scrap fabric into blankets to be sent to needy people overseas.

Rug Making: Old Jeans and Cordouroys are cut into strips, sewn together and woven to make attractive, sturdy throw-rugs. Volunteers are needed for each part of production.

Fred Kaarsemaker, Director of Material Resources, can probably think of many more ways in which you can get involved. Contact him at our office (see info above).

Quilting

Each year, MCC BC holds a Festival that includes the auction of heirloom quality quilts. These quilts are produced by volunteers at our warehouse. Volunteers do everything from purchasing materials, to piecing quilts, to the actual quilting. Beginners are welcome. Contact our office for more information (see info above).

Coming Soon