Hello Neighbours,
Earlier this month, my son asked me, “Mommy, why do you volunteer?”
A lot of answers came to mind; it’s important to give back to the community, it helps you make friends in your neighbourhood, it’s fun and rewarding, it gives you the chance to do things you may not get to do. Yet, none of these is the reason I volunteer year after year. Here’s the real reason: When I was pregnant with my second child, I went into labor ten weeks early. My very tiny premature baby almost died (twice). While my partner and I lived at the hospital for weeks on end, unsure of how Cohen’s future would unfold, my village jumped in to help. Without being asked, there were hot meals left on my doorstep, round the clock babysitting for Jake (he was two at the time), and breakfast, lunch and dinner packed in ‘to go’ bags for us to take with us to the hospital each day, because we simply didn’t know how long we’d be there. As an emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted mom, there aren’t words for the deep appreciation and gratitude I have for everyone who showed up in our time of need. However, the entire time our family struggled through these first few months, it bothered me that I didn’t know my neighbours well enough to ask them for help. Once Cohen was home, and a healthy normal life resumed, I had a new appreciation for community. By the time my third baby made his appearance, I was determined to connect with as many people as possible so that no one in Acadia had to feel like they couldn’t depend on the kindness of their neighbours. What started out as joining a board of people I had never met, lead me down a path of passionately caring about the people in my community and unbelievable friendships resulted. As I explained to Jake, the question isn’t ‘why do I volunteer’ but ‘how can I care about my neighbours, today?’ This month, if you have never met your neighbours, I urge you to ring their doorbell and introduce yourself. As the membership director, I have yet to meet a person in Acadia I didn’t like – we are all fantastic people!
Erika Topola
Director – Membership
Acadia Community Association
