Connections an important part of volunteering

Perry and Shari Hartwick are no strangers to the concept of volunteering.

In 2009, they started the Niagara branch of KidSport, an organization which provides grants to help cover registration expenses so that youth aged 18 and under can play a season of their favourite sport.

“We stopped running KidSport Niagara when the COVID pandemic hit. It became too difficult to administer funds with the uncertainty of when participating in sports would be safe again,” Shari said.

One of KidSports’ major fundraisers was an event called Monster Bash, held at Willowbank in Queenston every Halloween.

“After Perry and I decided to close up the KidSport Niagara chapter after 10 years, we wanted to continue with our Halloween fundraiser, and Red Roof was our logical recipient last year,” said Shari.

Shari, whose background is in special education, met Steffanie Bjorgan, founder of Red Roof Retreat, while working at Parliament Oak School. “I was an educational assistant in her classroom before Red Roof Retreat started,” said Shari.

“I worked with Red Roof when the summer camp first started,” she said. “The concept was unique for the area, and I knew it would be a huge success because of the passion and commitment to the cause,” explained Shari.

“There was and still is a huge need for respite and fun camps for people with special needs.”

“During the pandemic,” she added, “Perry shifted his energies to getting another not-for-profit, the UNESCO Aspiring Geopark, going.”

Perry is chair and resident geologist and chair of the Geology Working Group. According to niagarageopark.com, “the Niagara Peninsula Geopark is a region-wide effort to manage and protect Niagara’s geoheritage, while simultaneously developing well-managed tourism experiences that improve local livelihoods.”

“Most people volunteer in order to positively affect a community,” said Perry. “For me, there are a lot of extra perks. Helping to create the Niagara UNESCO Global Geopark has appealed to my entrepreneurial spirit and I have learned a ton.”

“Also,” he added, “even as we are just getting this project started, I have met a myriad of people and have formed some very meaningful relationships. That might be the best part.”