Tracy Green is a civic-minded Bugs Bunny. She likes to know “what’s up?” in her community and she wants to know how she can give back.
A long-time resident of the Tri-Cities, she currently calls Port Moody home, along with her husband Chaz and two children, Ella and Lucas.
The diverse and unique character of the city and its residents are some of Tracy and Ella’s favourite things about living in this pocket of the Lower Mainland.
“I’ve lived here my entire life and I like how quiet it is,” says Ella. “I wouldn’t want to live in a big city.”
It’s a sentiment shared by her mother.
“If you take the time to get to know the different groups and neighbourhoods in your community, you can meet so many interesting people who have great stories and valuable skillsets to share,” says Tracy. “Everyone is connected to someone in one way or another – it’s really quite beautiful.”
The passion and enthusiasm shared by their fellow residents for the spaces they call home is one of the reasons why it has been so easy for Tracy to take part in local advocacy projects and non-profit organizations.
“I love getting involved in initiatives that help better our community,” she says. “I’ve worked on so many projects over the years – including the alternative recycling depot, a little libraries initiative, a bear-aware program and so many neighbourhood barbecues and breakfasts.”
Volunteers coming together after a BioBlitz event held in Port Moody.
Many of these projects often connected into larger projects, like advocacy work for the city’s new middle school, or fundraising for a local nature education centre and hatchery when it burned down.
It has also been a way for her to bond with her children and share with them her love for the outdoors.
“Seeing my kids develop their own skills and interests and watching many years of small actions grow into something long-term is really rewarding. I’m not sure if we think of our family activities as volunteering; most of the time we’re just getting involved in something that’s interesting or fun.”
Ella agrees.
“I’ve been going with my mom to Mossom [Creek Hatchery & Education Centre] for so many years that I don’t think of it as an organization, it’s just a place I go to help out. The work we do there is important because we are helping the environment, but it also gives people a place to do work they can feel good about.”
Ella at Mossom showing kids how northwestern salamanders develop.
Spending this time has empowered Ella to seek out new opportunities that she can complete on her own.
“I’ve never really thought of the things I do with my family as ‘volunteering’. All the things I learned and all those experiences mean that I volunteer on my own now.”
Ella and a friend give back by volunteering.
She and her brother are proof that it’s never too early to foster a love of the environment and a knack for giving back.
“When my kids were really small I was involved in an eelgrass-planting project,” laughs Tracy. “To get them involved we volunteered to hang out on a beach for four-hour shifts and chase away geese that wanted to pull up and eat the eelgrass that we had replanted in the Burrard Inlet. For them it was just a day at the beach. I’ve always found projects that fit where I’m at in my life and what works for my family.”
Ella and Lucas keeping the eel grass safe from hungry geese.
Whether the right fit is “eelgrass” or “social programming” or “housing for all”, Tracy is never far from important, impactful work. She currently serves on the boards of SHARE society (a Coquitlam-based non-profit) and 43 Housing Society (a sister-society to SHARE).
“My work at United Way opened my eyes to the social needs in our community. I would love that my volunteer work ensures that my community is a little healthier and that more families have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.”
For Tracy and Ella, this is the most important reason to give back: improving life for everyone in the places we call home.
“Volunteering makes everyone feel good,” says Ella. Tracy agrees.
“The most valuable way we can make our community a better place is to stop and say hello and offer to help. The connections you make with people when you take a moment to check in can be extraordinary.”
“Great communities aren’t built on one big action, they are the sum total of many actions by many people.”
From advocating for community resources, to protecting and championing our natural environment, to promoting family fun in unique and impactful ways, Tracy and Ella are inspiring examples of how small acts can add up to a big community impact.
May is Acts of Local Love Month. We are excited to be profiling individuals from across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley who – just like Tracy and Ella – show their local love every day. They are taking the 31-day Acts of Local Love Challenge. Will you join them?
Show your local love. Take part in the Acts of Local Love Challenge today.
Topics : Building strong communities, Local love, Tri-Cities
