‘Time is people's most precious resource'
Long-time volunteer Andy Woolaver recognized for dedication to helping others
Ask a busy person to do something and they will get it done.
That’s the motto Andy Woolaver lives by — and it more than accurately describes him.
Woolaver, who lives on Dill Road in Windsor, grew up on a farm in Blomidon. He learned early on about the benefit of hard work, commitment and perseverance.
He’s on the go non-stop. He works full-time with Scotiabank — holding various roles over the past 41 years — and is involved with multiple groups and organizations.
“Well, I'm a firm believer if you want something done ask a busy person. You're just more efficient that way,” he said.
Woolaver was recently named volunteer of the year for the Nova Scotia Hunter Jumper Association. It was an honour that he said was quite unexpected.
“To be honest, you could have this conversation with many people. I told the hunter jumper people, I said, 'Well, next year, if you're thinking about who to give this award to, look in the mirror, because everybody's giving of their time and are involved, and without that, these organizations don't exist. It's just as simple as that,” he said.
Woolaver’s first foray into volunteering dates back to Sam Slick Days, when the popular festival was starting to struggle and was in need of volunteers. He served as the chairman of the fundraising and fireworks committee during the time when the festival featured large dances, memorable parades and big fireworks displays.
He has been president of multiple organizations, including the Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce (now known as the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce), Windsor Agricultural Society, Shooting Stars minor basketball program, Hants County Family & Childrens’ Services, Valley Wildcats (major bantam, major midget, junior A), and the Society for Keeping Junior Hockey on Ice (Valley Maple Leafs junior B hockey organization), where he was one of the organization’s founders and is the current president.
Aside from being a past president, he’s served — and continues to serve — on multiple boards throughout the region. He’s involved with everything from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Annapolis Valley to recently joining Quick As A Wink Theatre Society. His volunteer list is expansive. “Well... nobody has to do it. But I think as a volunteer, you get a lot more out of it than you give. You meet a lot of people; you learn a lot,” he said.
When Woolaver helped create the Valley Maple Leafs, he had only attended a handful of local hockey games. He helped not because he was an avid fan, but because he saw the need to keep the young, university-aged players on the ice in Windsor.
The group went on to win the coveted Don Johnson Memorial Cup — the highest level for junior B hockey players in Atlantic Canada — within a few years of the group’s humble beginnings when they didn’t even have a puck or designated rink to play in.
“That was very gratifying; it was in Newfoundland too so it was a big deal to go over there and win,” he recalled.
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
Woolaver said one of the best things an organization can have is a wide cross-section of board members and volunteers. Diversity is key, he said.
“As soon as you get there, you realize you do bring quite a bit,” he said.
“And the biggest thing you bring to these volunteer organizations is your reach, or your sphere of influence.”
He said a group comprised of all like-minded individuals isn’t the ideal structure if the group is hoping to grow or fundraise large amounts.
“If we all do the same thing, it doesn't matter if we have one of us or 10 of us, it's not going to help us,” said Woolaver. “We want to get a carpenter; we want to get a trucker. We want to get people that are in a different circle, have different contacts and can help the organization in different ways. And I've always believed in that.”
He said every volunteer was a newbie at some point and he hopes people will get over the fear of not being perfect.
“I think people are too cautious,” he said. “You'd be amazed when you get in a room, what you do bring. We're not launching rockets here, you know, it's not that hard.”
Woolaver said once a person sees a need, he hopes that they will inquire about how they could help.
Most groups won’t turn away someone who has a desire to help.
“I just encourage everybody to get involved in something. And getting involved doesn't mean getting on the board of directors on Day 1 or getting on a committee. If there's an event, help with that event. Do a one off; see if you like it and get involved in something that you're not familiar with,” he said.
“My hope would be that everybody recognizes that... if you volunteer even one time, it makes a huge difference to your community, and you don't have to have any special skills to do it.”
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Carrie MacDonald, who estimates she’s known Woolaver for about 25 years, is the secretary of the Nova Scotia Hunter Jumper Association. In the fall, the organization presented Woolaver with the honour of being Volunteer of the Year.
MacDonald said Woolaver “embodies volunteerism” and steps up whenever there is a need.
As for his role with the Nova Scotia Hunter Jumper Association, MacDonald said he takes on any task they require, whether doing in-gate, announcing, or being part of the ring crew.
The organization has about 300 members and serves as a competitive circuit for show jumping equestrian riders. Woolaver’s children who participated in the sport are long grown up and have moved away, but he still volunteers with the organization.
“He just literally does it out of the goodness of his heart — to see the kids still have competition and to excel, and I think he really enjoys the community,” said MacDonald. “I can't speak on behalf of him but I know the community enjoys him.”
MacDonald said Woolaver is a valuable asset to any group he’s involved with.
“He just always takes the call, provides good, pointed feedback, with actionable items that, as volunteer organizations, you can take back to your board or your committees and work with,” she said.
“He's just super genuine and helpful. He's an all-around good guy.”
Woolaver said he gets more out of volunteering than he puts in.
“Time is people's most precious resource. There's no question about it. If you give of your time, you'll get so much back,” said Woolaver.