This week marks National Volunteer Week, April 27 to May 3 – a perfect time to recognize the incredible contributions of volunteers across College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) 17 campuses and beyond.
To celebrate that spirit, the CNA Alumni Office is proud to launch the CNA Volunteer Program. This initiative will shine a spotlight on the meaningful impact of volunteerism, while building a community of alumni volunteers who are making a difference close to home and across the province.
Every year, nearly one billion people around the world volunteer to create change. We are starting right here at CNA – by highlighting the stories of alumni employees who are already leading the way through service.
Student Development Officer Jennifer Richardson
My volunteer journey began in September 2017 with a single spark – an idea to bring women together through movement. I founded Placentia’s first-ever women’s running group, and what started as weekly runs soon grew into something greater: a platform for connection, wellness, and giving back.
We’ve raised funds for local school breakfast programs, built lifelong friendships, and created a space where women support women. Inspired by the strength of this group, I began organizing larger community events—seasonal celebrations, wellness runs, and fundraisers for causes like the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Fund and Special Olympics Placentia. In 2019, I launched a High School Girls’ Running Group, helping teenage girls train for their first 5K and showing them what they’re capable of when they believe in themselves.
As the Founder of Breakwater Farm and Market (est. 2018), I’ve worked to create a vibrant, green space where local vendors – many of them seniors – can showcase their hard work and creativity. From fresh produce and herbs to homemade socks, slippers, baked goods, and crafts, the market is a hub of connection and sustainability.
Our seniors take pride in what they create, and seeing them interact with customers, tell stories, and sell their wares is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. We’re currently planning exciting expansions to grow our impact even further.
As a Town Councilor for Placentia, I represent over 3,300 residents and proudly chair the Economic Development Committee. I also serve on committees focused on planning, recreation, and community enhancement. Every day, I work to ensure our community’s voices are heard and help shape the strategic direction of our town.
At the College of the North Atlantic – Placentia Campus, I work as a Student Development Officer for Recruitment, where I support students and lead outreach across our region. I also serve on several college committees, including:
- Marketing & Recruitment
- Scholarships & Awards
- Graduation
- Campus Improvement
- Occupational Health & Safety
Helping students reach their goals and guiding them through their educational paths is one of my greatest joys.
What inspires me most is simple: community and connection.
I believe in showing up for each other. Whether I’m organizing a fun run, supporting a student, or delivering a warm meal, I’ve seen how even small acts of kindness can create lasting ripples. The joy in a child’s face at a Halloween event, the excitement of a teen crossing the finish line, or a senior smiling as they hand you their homemade jam – those are the moments that remind me why I volunteer.
Watching a group of 13-year-olds go from hesitant to confident runners in my High School Girls’ Running Group was unforgettable. Their transformation – physically and emotionally – was proof that with encouragement and opportunity, young people can exceed their own expectations.
Between 2021 and 2023, my three sons and I delivered hot meals to seniors through Meals on Wheels. One woman told me I was the first person she had seen or spoken to in days. That moment reminded me that volunteering isn’t just about service—it’s about presence.
Volunteering has become a core part of who I am. It’s not about how much time you give – it’s about the heart you bring to it. Our communities are strongest when we lift each other up and create spaces where everyone belongs.
Early Childhood Education Instructor Glenda Osmond
My name is Glenda Osmond and I currently teach the daytime Early Childhood Education Program here at the Port Aux Basques Campus. I have been volunteering since I can remember however in recent years, I have contributed most of my time volunteering at our local daycare center – Growing Our Future and at St James Elementary. These days I enjoy spending time volunteering in places that impacts this course and my students. I enjoy volunteering at school functions such as serving breakfast, school wide centers, book fairs and fun day events. As well I sit on the board of directors for Growing our Future and I’m a member of the Provincial Ministers Advisory Committee for Early Learning and Childcare. Sometimes it’s not always about the volunteering, it’s also about getting out and getting involved in anything that you can.
There is so much value in giving back. For me it’s not about the recognition, it’s all about seeing the good that you do and knowing you are making a difference. I enjoy making community connections among parents, teachers, and my students. This helps build better relationships and creates an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and respected. I feel that living in a small tight knit community it’s easy to do. The program I teach require my students to spend 18 weeks out in the field completing field placements/on the job training. I like to inspire them to do good things within our community as well.
Guess I can’t take all the credit in a recent project that was completed but I feel I was instrumental in getting it off the ground. Growing Our Future as been a pivotal partner in hosting many of my students to complete their field placements. With the daycare being a cooperative non-for-profit organization in our community they are always looking for volunteers and help. I knew there was a need for a shaded area in their outdoor play space. After a conversation with Jan, we decided that the Carpentry class would build a playhouse structure that would be donated to the center. What a great way to pay back and it involved many people! It was a great learning opportunity for the carpentry students and the children, and the center will enjoy this structure for many years to come!
Student Development Officer Lavinia Crisby
Well, I have been volunteering for as long as I can remember, even before I was an employee at the College I volunteered with my Mom, Margaret Cull, who was an instructor at the St. Anthony Campus. Seeing the fun, the excitement and the family atmosphere at the Campus made me realize College was the future for me.
I have volunteered in sports, in fact creating Pee Wee Broomball for our area and the only one in the province at the time; in 2010 I received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Town of St. Anthony for this! Also, in 2010 I co-founded Community Readinesss for People with Disabilities (CRPD) which later went on to win COD-NL’s Organization of the Year Award.
I am currently a member the Iceberg Festival Committee, a festival that opens our tourism season earlier in the year and brings much needed tourism activity to the region. I am also member of the White Hills Academy Student Council. I am always eager to say yes when people need help and am very open to sharing ideas with others to make successful things happen! I was also a leader and an assistant Deputy Commissioner for Girl Guides of Canada for a few years.
I am currently involved in many activities here on Campus that brings together our students with each other, our partners and our community. We have a Welcome Garden (sponsored by Northern Regional Wellness Coalition) that current students set in the spring to welcome incoming students in the fall. Caring for it and watching it grow over the summer is amazing and seeing students enjoy the harvest throughout the fall is heartwarming! We end the harvest with a Garden Harvest Feast (sponsored by CBDC Nortip during Small Business Week) inviting all our incredible partners to join us!
St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc. saw the work we were doing with the garden and graciously donated a greenhouse to help us expand on our Garden! We also have a vertical hydroponics system (sponsored by Raleigh Historical Society) that we grow leaf vegetables and herbs that we harvest on a monthly basis. This too gets students involved with planting, nurturing and of course eating the harvest.
I work very closely with Violence Prevention Northern Peninsula on their initiatives. They sponsor many events with us at the Campus like, 16 Days of Activism, Violence Prevention Month, International Women’s Day, Gender Based Violence and many, many more. Association for New Canadians partner with us often for events, movie nights and our favorite, cooking classes. Northern Regional Wellness Coalition has been a continuous sponsor for our different Food/information bags. We supply our students with important information on mental health, violence prevention, stress management and more. This list can go on, but it’s important to note that as a volunteer your success comes from those around you who help. Our Campus truly is a family campus.
The ability to help anyone on any given day for any reason that will improve their day and put a smile on their face it what inspires me to volunteer. Not everyone has the ability or the means or the knowledge on how to get things done. If I can lead that one person or that whole group to a successful experience, I will do whatever I can to see that through! Smiles last for miles!
There are several times that my volunteer work has had a big impact on me. One from our Campus activities that will always stay with me is when I saw a Facebook post from a parent of one of our students. It referenced the Food Bag sponsored by CNA/Northern Regional Wellness Coalition. They said how absolutely amazing it was to see the College sending home food to families and how it made a difference to their weekend! Now that was amazing to read. That same bag brought many thank yous from students with one parent saying he couldn’t wait to share the cheese with his child! To know these bags had such an impact on the wellbeing of the recipients was heartwarming and we continued to do the same bags often!
Another impactful moment occurred when I volunteered with Community Readiness for People with Disabilities. We set up a day in our community when the participants went to work for a day, something many of them had never done before. To see their faces beam with pride, to see their families cry tears of joy and to hear the community talk about the joyous day it was will forever impact me, but most importantly it impacted others forever too.
Clerk Typist Shirley Murphy
I started volunteering very young. My parents took me to all church social, (soup suppers, cold plates, harvest festival suppers, etc.) as soon as I was finished my meal, mom would say go inside now and help with the dishes (I was probably 12 at the time).
One of the most rewarding experiences was when one of my previous Sunday School students remembered us making haroset for a meal as part of our lesson some twenty years ago.
I still have Christmas parties at my house, do recyclables for charity. Do PowerPoint for Sunday services at church. Since I had cancer in 2023 did surgery, chemo and radiation and I will be 70 in a couple of weeks, I am slowing down my volunteering.
Volunteer activities since 1979
Over 40 years at Carol United Church (overlapping positions)
Sunday School Teacher: 14 years
Sunday School Superintendent: 2 years
Member of Session: 1 year
Secretary of Christian Education: 3 years
Secretary of Joint Board: 21 years
Member of Committee of Stewards: 2 years
Member of Official Board: 23 years
Volunteer Secretary for Church: 3 years
Assisted in services: 2 years
Co-ordinator of Church Auction Annual Fundraiser: 20 years
Planned and organized several children’s picnics, programs, & concerts.
Town of Labrador City Fitness Week Volunteer: 3 years
Home and School Association Secretary: 3 years
IOC 25-Year Party Volunteer: 3 years
IOC Family Day Volunteer: 12 years
Door-to-door canvasser for 5 years: The Lung Association, Red Shield Appeal, Cancer, Heart & Stroke
Collecting recyclables and donating money to charity: 7 years and ongoing
Took a senior couple for groceries every Saturday: 3 years
Helped cater functions at the Scout Lodge. (Weddings, banquets etc.)
Volunteer with Girl Guides (typing, photocopying etc.)
From time to time cook and delivers home-cooked meals to seniors.
Makes sweets and treats for seniors in long Term care at the hospital.
Berry-picking season – pick berries & give to seniors.
Volunteer – District Labour Council Labour Day Children’s Party: 4 years
Planned several retirement parties
At CNA:
Represent College by laying wreath on Remembrance Day
Received Step-Up Award from NAPE in 2018
Received Lung Association Award for canvassing the most homes in a district
Been on negotiating team for three contracts
