The buzz around Halifax these days is all about the 2011 Canada Games and a Canadian Red Cross staffer is playing an important role at the sporting event – not as an athlete, but as a volunteer.
Ancel Langille with Canada Games mascots Anni and Sammi
Ancel Langille has temporarily set aside his Red Cross vest and responsibilities as manager of operations for Nova Scotia. These days, Ancel is busy coordinating 150-200 volunteers in his role as venue lead at Citadel High School, site of the wheelchair basketball and table tennis competitions.
“It’s a lot of fun. You get to meet people and do things you wouldn’t ordinarily get to do,” said Ancel when I caught up with him during a break in competitions this week. Ancel shared that his highlight of the games so far was seeing a young spectator in a wheelchair overcome by emotion after meeting the Canada Games’ mascots
Anni and Sammi, and getting a photo taken with members of one of the wheelchair basketball teams.
Ancel Langille at the 2010 Olympic Games in Whistler, BC
This isn’t Ancel’s first foray in volunteering at a major sporting event. A lifelong Olympic fan (he even carried the torch in his hometown of Truro, NS as a teen in 1988), he describes his volunteer experience at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver as nothing short of amazing. He’s been involved in planning for the Canada Games for nearly two years and is thrilled to see it all come together. “At game time, it’s all hands on deck to make sure athletes have everything they need to do their best. It’s very similar to our work at the Red Cross when we respond to a disaster or set up a shelter.”
He credits Canadian Red Cross staff and volunteers for making it possible for him to pursue these volunteer opportunities. He is sure to come back with a wealth of volunteer management experience and stories to share.