ISSofBC volunteers enjoyed a weekend of multiculturalism lending a hand to the Langley International Festival.
This was the first outing for the ISSofBC Volunteer Team composed of three general volunteers, one settlement mentor, one staff member and nine newcomer clients.
“For most of the members of the team, this was the first volunteer experience that they’ve had in Canada and they all enjoyed it thoroughly and are looking forward to the next opportunity to lend a hand in the community,” said Ana Marie Caday, ISSofBC Volunteer Connections Facilitator for the Building Together: Settlement and Integration Program in Langley.
During the event, ISSofBC volunteers provided assistance with manning the festival entry and exit gates with the support of ISSofBC staff who clarified information and supported the team, Ana Marie said.
Langley’s 13th International Festival included 16 international food vendors, a two-day soccer tournament representing eight countries, numerous multicultural performances, an art gallery displaying works of artists from around the world and much more.
A major crowd drawing attraction included a Chinese calligraphy station offered by a Chinese artist and newcomer ISSofBC client which drew visitors curious how their names would appear in Chinese and what those characters meant.
Also during the festival, ISSofBC staff raffled off a Cineplex gift certificate and asked the public to sign a community banner which is now on display in the Langley office.
The weekend event, Aug 24 and 25, was held at Willoughby Community Park, next to the Langley Events Centre.
