Photo by: Grayden Laing of Establish Media
For Tina Swaenepoel, giving back isn’t something she does when she has some spare time; it’s woven into nearly every part of her life.
While many in the community know Swaenepoel through her work with Employment Services Elgin and the Ignite Youth Centre, her volunteer hours extend far beyond her day job. She plays a key role on the St. Thomas Downtown Development Board, helping bring major community events like Nostalgia Nights, Downtown Oktoberfest, and Light Up Talbot to life—events that rely heavily on volunteers working behind the scenes.
Plus, her commitment to Ignite doesn’t end when the doors close for the day. As a non-profit organization, the youth centre depends entirely on fundraising, and Swaenepoel often volunteers evenings and weekends—sometimes even pulling in her husband and family to help tackle major projects. One of the most memorable was upgrading an electrical room to meet fire code standards, a demanding task that ultimately ensured the centre could remain open.
Swaenepoel also volunteers through the Anita May Music & Mental Health Foundation and, most recently, began working with Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin.
Despite receiving recognition like the United Way Changemaker Award, Tina says she expects nothing in return. “It just feels good to give,” she says.
You can hear our interview with Swaenepoel below as part of our Volunteer Appreciation Day series on 94.1 myFM.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
