May 1, 2025

Celebrating Incredible Volunteers

Written by Holly Nauss

If I were to explain the volunteer recognition event to someone who wasn’t there, I’d tell them it was a heartwarming gathering where volunteers, families, and staff came together to celebrate the amazing people who make our community so special.  

The donuts were incredible; I still can’t stop thinking about them! But even better than the treats was the chance to talk and greet volunteers as they arrived with smiles on their faces. The moments that stood out to me most were the conversations I had with other families. Everyone was so kind, and I loved hearing about the different ways they volunteer and support our programs. Attending the event made me feel really good, meeting new faces was wonderful, but the meaningful part was seeing just how welcoming and open-hearted our volunteers are. 

I’ve had a connection to Autism Nova Scotia for a long time, and being able to chat with the volunteers reminded me why this community means so much to me. One highlight was meeting Maura and her family; they were so nice, and Maura is such a fantastic volunteer. Volunteers are so important to our organization because it’s wonderful to have people who consistently help and care about what we do year after year. They help connect us to the community we serve by being so inclusive and supportive of our participants — and I’m especially glad we have enough volunteers to help run each program.  

A moment that made an impact on me was getting to chat with Scott from the Dungeons and Dragons program and a bunch of other happy, kind volunteers. If someone asked me about the value of volunteering, I’d explain how Autism Nova Scotia offers so many great programs, and how volunteers play a big role in creating spaces where participants can share what they want and need.  

After attending the event, my message to the volunteers would simply be thank you — for showing up last Thursday with those big smiles, for your warmth, and for making our community what it is. If I could thank them for one thing, it would be for creating inclusion.  

My relationship with the Autism community has spanned over three decades, and this event was another reminder of how strong and supportive our community relationships are. The connection I’ve built in this community has been so positive for me personally, and it relates deeply to the work we do making sure everyone feels welcome and valued. And honestly, one of the moments that made me smile the most was simply being a staff member, walking into my new office, and feeling so proud to be part of Autism Nova Scotia.