From the simple gesture of lending a neighbour a hand to joining a local division of an internationally renowned club, the citizens of Coquitlam have never shied away from helping one another.
In recognition of National Volunteer Week, which took place from April 12 to 18, let's reflect on Coquitlam's long history of volunteerism.
Many of Coquitlam's early residents will recall that their first volunteer experience was a contribution to the war effort. While many brave men risked their lives to help end conflict abroad, less known are the efforts of their mothers and sisters to ensure that they returned home safely.
Coquitlam's women supported the troops by joining the Red Cross and the Women's Institute. Women also prepared care packages containing food, knitted socks and, of course, their good wishes.
During the Second World War, women and men alike joined the Volunteer Workers for Civil Defence Against the German Reich in preparation for a possible attack on the home front.
Between the First and Second World Wars, many of Coquitlam's residents were hopeful that life would return to normal. Unfortunately, fate had different plans.
Little more than a decade after the end of the First World War, the New York Stock Exchange crashed, sending the global economy into a tailspin. Once again, hard times fell on Coquitlam.
Women stepped in to care for one another's sick and serve as midwives when hospital stays became too expensive. Work was scarce during this time and, to make matters worse, the Canadian Western Lumber Company reduced hourly wages from 25 cents to 20 cents.
This was the final straw for many of Coquitlam's men who were already struggling to make ends meet. Many workers joined the Lumber Worker's Industrial Union. When the mill workers went on strike in 1931, mill management responded by firing and blacklisting union leaders. Those who chose to strike also found themselves without any source of income. Thanks to the generosity of local Japanese, Chinese, South Asian and Finnish farmers, a soup kitchen was set up to feed the families of the striking workers.
Although the hardship of war and economic crisis may have motivated many local volunteer projects throughout the first half of the 20th century, the spirit of volunteerism lives on in Coquitlam today.
Select members of such organizations as the Burquitlam Lions Club, Coquitlam Sunrise Rotary Club and the Coquitlam Heritage Society, just to name a few, have been granted Freedom of the City status by the Coquitlam council for their outstanding long-term contributions. Whether they played an instrumental role in fundraising to provide Christmas hampers for families in need or worked to preserve Coquitlam's rich history, each of these individuals has committed their time to the betterment of their community.
As a result of their hard work, future generations will not only enjoy, but will also continue to build upon, their predecessors' many accomplishments.
Your History is a column in which representatives of the Tri-Cities' heritage groups write about local history. Alexandra Calbery is with the Coquitlam Heritage Society.
