Kamloops, BC—The City of Kamloops is excited to once again celebrate our city’s volunteers at the 14th annual Volunteer Appreciation BBQ. The event will take place on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, at the Sandman Centre Plaza (300 Lorne Street). All Kamloops volunteers are warmly invited to join City Council and staff for an afternoon of hearty food and heartfelt gratitude. Both indoor and outdoor seating will be available.

“Volunteers in Kamloops ignite impact every day—mentoring youth, supporting isolated residents, welcoming newcomers, advancing equity, caring for community spaces, responding to emergencies, and building strong neighbourhoods,” said Deputy Mayor Margot Middleton. “They continue to demonstrate generosity, compassion, creativity, and leadership, strengthening the social fabric of our community. This event is just a small token of our deep appreciation for everything they do.”

Held each April in conjunction with National Volunteer Week (April 19–25, 2026), the barbecue recognizes the invaluable contributions of those who give their time and talents to make Kamloops a better place. The City extends a special thank you to the members of the Kamloops Brock Central Lions Club, who will once again lend their time and talent at the grill to cook up a storm for our volunteers.

The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers. In this milestone year, people in Canada are invited to ignite volunteerism through a year-long effort to elevate civic participation, rebuild volunteer infrastructure, and celebrate volunteer stories.

Two volunteer roles the City is actively recruiting for right now are our Level One Emergency Support Services team and our Crime Prevention team. For more information about volunteering in Kamloops, visit Kamloops.ca/Volunteer.