Volunteer Spotlight: Cameron Lewis
Cameron, a student at Seycove Secondary, brings heart, humour, and a genuine drive to make a difference in everything he does. Whether tutoring classmates in math, chemistry, and physics or lending a hand at Parkgate Society’s youth programs, his passion for helping others continues to shine through.
“I love teaching,” Cameron shares. “Working with youth, being a bit silly—it just fits.” That same passion brought him to Parkgate after hearing about the youth dances from his sister and a connection through another youth volunteer opened the door. “It seemed like something I’d enjoy and something that would actually help the community.”
One of Cameron’s most memorable moments was volunteering as the event photographer at the Parkgate Winter Lights event. A festive community celebration filled with live music, dance, decorations, community tables, and family-friendly activities. “It was the first time I’d taken photos for an actual event. Looking back at all the happy faces—that was really special.”
He’s also a regular volunteer at the Mount Seymour United Church Café, where he helps serve food to seniors and community members. “It’s such a good environment,” he says. “I hope it never goes away.”
Through his volunteer work, Cameron has picked up practical life skills, from learning how to run a kitchen to helping resolve conflicts at youth events. He speaks highly of the support and mentorship he’s received from the team. “Owen (youth volunteer) really helped me get started, and Natasha (Youth Centre Coordinator) made a strong impression early on. You can tell the whole youth team really cares.”
What surprised him most? “Honestly, how much goes on at Parkgate. I used to think it was just a rec centre. But seeing how many programs exist for youth and how much fun everyone has here was a great surprise.”
Describing his experience in three words? Inspirational. Engaging. Social.
Volunteering has helped him grow both personally and professionally. “It’s given me experience working with others, talking to people, and even thinking about future jobs like serving or teaching.”
Looking ahead, Cameron is excited to take on new challenges, possibly volunteering with child care, summer camps, or other programs. And with graduation on the horizon, he’s excited for what comes next: a job, more ways to give back, and a chance to make a positive impact in the world.
Parkgate Society is lucky to have Cameron on the team and we can’t wait to see where he goes from here.
Inspired by Cameron’s story? Discover how you can make a difference too—visit parkgatesociety.ca/get-involved/volunteer to learn more about volunteering with Parkgate Society.
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