Volunteers and auxiliary members across our region bring compassion and care to health care every day—this National Volunteer Week, we celebrate their incredible contributions.
(Photo) From left to right: Volunteers Ray Nicolle; John, Yvonne and Angel McDonald; and Ranjot Kaur
Meet three inspiring volunteers whose kindness, empathy and dedication have made a meaningful impact on patients, visitors, staff and medical teams.
Ray Nicolle, wayfinder, Burnaby Hospital
Three months into retirement from a long career as a teacher, Ray Nicolle applied to volunteer at Burnaby Hospital, where his friendly personality and love for walking made him a perfect fit for the wayfinder role.
Eighteen years later, Ray is still going strong. You’ll find him greeting patients with a warm smile and helping them navigate the halls—often before they even have to ask. “What I am is a guide,” he says. “I take people where they’re going—whether it’s for a procedure, a doctor’s appointment or just help finding their way.”
His background in education shaped how he approaches the role. “As a teacher, I was used to reading people quickly—figuring out who needed help and how best to support them. That’s exactly what I do here,” he says.
For Ray, the best part of volunteering is the people. “The hospital feels like a big community once you get to know everyone. And the gratitude from patients? I must get a hundred thank-yous a day—and they’re all genuine.”
Over the years, Ray has built lasting connections with staff and fellow volunteers, many of whom he now considers close friends. He even jokes that he’s clocked more steps in the hospital hallways than most fitness apps can track.
Ray encourages anyone feeling a little bored or looking to reconnect to “give it a shot.” Volunteering, he says, is not only a great way to give back but also a way to feel good and be part of something bigger.
Get to know Ray and watch his video feature below.
John, Yvonne and Angel McDonald, pet therapy team, Ridge Meadows Hospital
For John and Yvonne McDonald, volunteering with their beloved therapy dog Angel is more than a routine—it’s a heartfelt mission to bring calm and comfort to those who need it most. Whether it’s patients in the emergency department or someone waiting anxiously for a blood test, Angel’s gentle presence helps ease stress and lift spirits.
“Even just a few minutes with the dog takes them to another level—where they’re calm, not worried about needles or test results,” says John. “It makes a big difference.”
The couple first started their volunteer journey in long-term care communities with just two dogs. Their passion quickly grew into managing a program of 50 therapy dogs and their handlers in a variety of long-term care communities before volunteering at Ridge Meadows Hospital, where Angel has become a local celebrity.
“She’s popular,” Yvonne laughs. “We’ll be walking her outside and someone will call out, ‘Hi Angel!’ Even if we don’t recognize them, they remember her visiting their loved one in the hospital.”
John and Yvonne often visit the same sections of the hospital each week, as Angel has a loyal following. They also receive pages from the volunteer resources team when patients or families need extra comfort, and Angel makes special visits to patients who have requested to see her and are unable to leave their rooms.
When Angel visits, she is often allowed to sit on patients' beds, offering them a chance to pet her and hold her, creating a soothing and calming moment. The simple act of interaction with her brings smiles and eases tension.
Occasionally, Angel entertains everyone with tricks such as rolling over, dancing, playing dead and sneezing on command—spreading joy and laughter wherever she goes. Volunteering with Angel continues to be a joyful and meaningful experience for the McDonalds. “The moment the vest goes on, she’s ready to go—jumping, heading to the car. We’ve spent many years volunteering here and we love every moment of it.”
Get to know John, Yvonne and Angel better—watch their video feature below.
Ranjot Kaur, wayfinder, Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, and co-president, Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre Auxiliary
Driven by her passion for medicine and desire to serve her community, Ranjot Kaur began volunteering at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre (ARHCC) in 2023. Since then, she has dedicated over 500 hours to the welcome and wayfinding desk, gift shop and book cart rounds.
From delivering flowers that spark smiles to meaningful conversations with patients and visitors, Ranjot values the connections she makes each shift. In the gift shop, she enjoys creating cheerful displays and helping people choose thoughtful gifts. At the welcome desk, she takes pride in offering a warm and reassuring first impression.
Her desire to make a meaningful impact inspired her to take on a new challenge as the co-president for the ARHCC Auxiliary. “I enjoy creating structure, encouraging others and helping teams succeed,” she says. In this role, she’s focused on improving communication, building mentorship opportunities for volunteers and deepening engagement among volunteers. “My goal is to make the volunteer experience more inclusive and empowering while helping expand the Auxiliary’s ability to support ARHCC.”
As she works toward a future career in health care, Ranjot sees her volunteer experience as a powerful foundation. “It’s strengthened my empathy, resilience and commitment to care,” she says.
To anyone considering volunteering, she offers simple advice: “Do it. You’ll build confidence, learn valuable skills and be part of a welcoming team that truly appreciates your contribution.”
Interested in volunteering at Fraser Health? Learn about opportunities at fraserhealth.ca/volunteer.