Shawna McCrea has been volunteering with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce for 14 years and is passionate about supporting local businesses. She and her daughter Kailey have organized and led successful events for the Chamber, including wedding expos. McCrea cares about local businesses, well-being, animals, and students. She has seen the positive impact of organizations and their volunteers in creating a sense of community and connection. Increased awareness is needed to help organizations reach more people. McCrea is inspired by Laurie Bartley's volunteer work with the Central Okanagan Hospice Association over the past 10 years.

1. To hear about the great things that are happening and to get involved with events and
opportunities, sign up today
What inspires you to volunteer?
I have been involved with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce (/organization/kelowna-
chamber-of-commerce-348681) for the past 14 years. I am passionate about LOCAL
businesses and love helping them when I can. Having worked in the financial industry for the past
20+ years, I have been so inspired by entrepreuners and the amazing businesses they create.
My daughter Kailey became the first Kelowna Chamber Junior Ambassador in 2014. It has been
great to volunteer together. We very much enjoy welcoming new businesses to the Chamber and
hosting after hour events. We have particularily enjoyed the Ambassador Annual Expo events,
including the Ambassador's led Wedding Expos in 2015 & 2016, which showcased the many
Chamber businesses that work in the wedding industry. Kailey organized and led a photo shoot
and fashion show each year. It takes a tremendous amount of work to host a successful event
and the positive feedback has been amazing.
Which cause(s) are you most passionate about and why?
I care about local businesses as they are the foundation of our communities -
KelownaChamber.org (http://KelownaChamber.org)
I care about well-being and want everyone to have a happy, healthy and fulfilling life; Kailey
volunteers at Balance Well-Being - BalanceWell-Being.com (http://BalanceWell-Being.com)
I care about animals; They bring so much joy to the world. Kailey and I have volunteered at Arion
Shawna McCrea,
you Volinspire us!

2. Horse Therapy together, which is an amazing organization - ariontherapeutic.farm
(http://ariontherapeutic.farm)
I care about students; As an alumni at UBCO - University of British Columbia Okanagan
Campus (/business/ubco-university-of-british-columbia-okanagan-campus-348681) and
Okanagan College (/business/okanagan-college-348681), I love volunteering to support
students.
What impact have you seen the organization(s) you work with, and their
volunteers, make in the community?
Throughout the organizations I have worked with, I have seen them help to create a place to
connect and belong, lifting people and businesses up. I have also witnessed the creation of close
teams of volunteers - a tribe, a family and have seen ambassadors out in the community creating
awareness.
What support is needed by the organization(s) and how can people learn more
or get involved?
As for all businesses, Awareness is KEY.
People can help by spreading the word to reach more people.
It is great that Volinspire (/business/volinspire) is helping create that Awareness.

3. Is there a person, organization or caring company (e.g. employer) you would
like to recognize that has helped support you to make a difference?
I am so very inspired by Laurie Bartley and her volunteer work for the Central Okanagan
Hospice Association (/organization/central-okanagan-hospice-association-348681).
Laurie Bartley (from LinkedIn):
Manager of Volunteers, Lifetime Member, 10-year Volunteer
Central Okanagan Hospice Association
2005 – 2015 (10 years) Okanagan Valley, BC
I have been involved with COHA for 10 years, in the following capacities:
- as a volunteer with families in need,
- as the Board liason for the 'Holding Hands for Hospice' Campaign to build Kelowna's Hospice
House,
- as the Manager of Volunteers, responsible to train, support and grow the volunteer base,

4. - currently a volunteer in the Vigil program, offering on-call companioning to those in their final
moments of life.