Volunteer Spotlight: Helping Hearts as a Family

Meet the incredible family of volunteers making a big impact! Melissa, Doug, and their daughters Emily and Erica have been dedicating their time to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick for several years.

Melissa’s been involved with the foundation for over 12 years. What began through work quickly grew into a personal connection. She’s had friends who’ve battled heart disease—some who sadly didn’t make it, and others who are still here today—which made the cause hit close to home.

Even before they were old enough to volunteer, Erica and Emily were eager to get involved. "Now that they're older, we can all do it together," Melissa said, sharing how volunteering has become a family tradition.

When asked about their favorite part of volunteering, Melissa shared, "It's the people you meet and the overall atmosphere.”

Melissa noted that they are excited about upcoming events, eager to dive into both new and returning opportunities. One of their favorite moments each year is hearing the heartfelt stories shared during draft night at NAPA Hockey Heroes Weekend.

For the family, it’s these shared experiences that make their involvement so meaningful. Whether building new relationships or reliving cherished memories, volunteering has brought them closer together.

Volunteer with Heart & Stroke NB