Rizwan Shareef is the City of Whitehorse volunteer of the year for 2025.
Shareef was nominated by the Yukon Hospital Foundation, and was selected as volunteer of the year out of a roster of 25 nominees who were recognized at the April 15 volunteer of the year ceremony. The city, according to its press release, “has been celebrating its dedicated volunteer community since 1987.”
Shareef was nominated because of “his dedication to patients, youth and the broader community,” according to the city’s news release.
Shareef told the News it is "surreal to be nominated for such an award, and then to win that award is incredible." He said he was grateful stand alongside other nominees, and also said he was honoured to be part of the Whitehorse volunteering community.
Shareef told the News he began volunteering with the Yukon Hospital Foundation in December 2021, having been interested in health care from a young age. Despite going away for university, he still wanted to contribute as a volunteer. Hence, he virtually developed the Whitehorse hospital's wayfinding map, designed to help patients, staff and visitors navigate the hospital.
Upon returning from university, Shareef said he now volunteers with the infection prevention and control team at the hospital. However, he said his favourite part of volunteering at the hospital is the Books on Wheels program, which involves visiting patients, doing some housekeeping, and bringing patients books, magazines and copies of the Yukon News.
"I often visit a variety of patients that potentially don't have anyone to visit. I've had long conversations with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including from the First Nations communities that often don't have someone to talk to," said Shareef. "And I have very lovely conversations. I get to learn so much about the cultures, traditions and their lived experiences."
Shareef also volunteers with the Yukon Humane Society, doing housekeeping and also giving tours to people interested in adoption. He has also volunteered as an assistant coach for the F.H. Collins grade 8 and 9 basketball team.
Mayor Kirk Cameron is quoted by the city's press release as saying “time and time again, we see the immense contributions volunteers make to our community, enriching our city and improving the quality of life of our residents, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”
Shareef said that he thinks volunteers are vital to the general community. He said it was incredible to see the contributions his fellow nominees have made to the community.
Twenty-five different volunteers were nominated by twenty-five organizations. The volunteers nominated and the organizations that nominated them are as follows: Arlene MacNicol, Thomson Centre, Continuing Care; Beth Hawkings, Whitehorse Nordic Ski Society; Cathy Twigge, Copper Ridge Place; Dale Abbott-Smith, BGC Yukon; Doug MacLean, Riverdale Community Association; Eleanor Millard, Yukon Cares; Emily Ross, Yukon Learn Society; Helene Dobrowolsky, Tai Chi Association, Yukon; Janet Moodie, Food Bank Society of the Yukon; Kylie Campbell-Clarke, Whistle Bend Neighbourhood Association; Lisa Keenan, Yukon Area Council and Yukon Federation of Labour; Lisa Pan, Chinese Canadian Association of Yukon; Lynn Poile, Whistle Bend Place, Continuing Care; Matthias Purdon, Cross Country Yukon; Michelle Kelly, Yukon Hospital Foundation; Michelle Matheson, Ride For Dad and Yukon Rendezvous; Peter Coates, Yukon Marathon Paddling Association; Rizwan Shareef, Yukon Hospital Foundation; Ron Pond, Golden Age Society; Shannon Poelman, YXY Beach Volleyball Club; Shawn Verrier, Hospice Yukon; Tammi Johnson, Yukon Helpers Network; Tara Downey, Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society; Val Stockdale, Women’s Auxiliary of the Whitehorse General Hospital; Val Whelen, Whitehorse Curling Club.
Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
