north shore news nsnews.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026 | A19
VOLUNTEER WEEK APRIL 19–25
Dedicated volunteers honoured for outstanding service ABBY LUCIANO
aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Sandy Branning gets behind the wheel to help others.
The North Vancouver resident is a volunteer for Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, offering appointment rides for people who have cancer across the North Shore. After she retired from work life, Branning was searching for a sense of community and joined the non-profit as a volunteer. “It is a big part of my life. It’s always something I look forward to,” Branning said. “I had no family here, all my family are in Ontario and that’s why I thought I need to give back something to the community.” Now a decade later, her dedication to helping others is being recognized. Branning is one of eight recipients of North Shore Community Resources’ Community Volunteer Spirit Awards. Every year, NSCR’s Volunteer North
Sandy Branning volunteers to help cancer patients get to their treatment appointments. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN Shore program highlights volunteers during National Volunteer Week who have made valuable contributions to the community. “This year’s recipients reflect the depth of compassion, leadership, and generosity that defines volunteerism in our region,”
said Anne-Marie Jamin, manager of community engagement and seniors programs for North Shore Community Resources. Branning volunteers for the non-profit a few times a week, and the time spent is rewarding for the 79-year-old. She gets to hear all sorts of stories from the people she drives and share some laughs along the way. But driving patients with cancer can be challenging at times, including knowing what to say and what not to say to someone facing tough health issues. “I just sympathize with them. I let them decide how much they want to tell me,” she said. It’s hard for Branning not to get teary eyed when looking back on some memories, but she couldn’t imagine not helping others when they need it most. “I dread the day I’ll not be able to drive or not have a car, because I’ll miss it very much,” she said. Another person out on the North Shore roads moving people until recently was John Peirson, a volunteer bus driver for
Capilano Community Services Society for 30 years. He retired from the volunteer gig last November, passing the baton to younger folks. During his time, the West Van resident would pick up more than half a dozen seniors from their homes and take them to Capilano Mall once a week to help them shop. Peirson would also drive seniors to fun places like a farm in Richmond or Stanley Park. Aside from volunteering at Capilano Community Services, he also spent his free time being a bus driver for the West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre for 25 years. But volunteering efforts haven’t stopped for the 85-year-old. He still volunteers as a cashier at the Treasure Trove at West Vancouver United Church once a week and is a member of several car clubs. “People are generally very appreciative of volunteers who do something for them,” he said. “Now that I’m not doing it, I miss it.” Continued on A21