14 Years at Oasis : Celebrating Nelson’s Volunteer-versary
“Need someone to source a free fridge, stick it in the back of his car and deliver it, need someone to show up during the week and donate his time to feed others, need someone to raise awareness and communicate with all members of our community? We would like to introduce you to Nelson.”
If you know Oasis, there’s a good chance you also know one of our most longstanding volunteers, Nelson. Scratch that. As of this March, Nelson is officially our oldest volunteer — with 14 years of volunteering under his belt, he’s breaking records and taking names.
Back in 2007, Nelson was in his 20s and his mom was volunteering at Oasis. Nelson asked her how he could help out at the centre, and he found himself helping out in the hamper room. Since then, he’s had a more general approach to volunteering, helping out whereever it’s needed. He’s known for buying pizza for everyone when the kitchen is closed, or even delivering a fridge in the back of his car. We don’t want to compare him to some kind of Oasis superhero, but let’s just say, if there was an Oasis character in the Marvel Universe, Nelson would probably be it.
Nelson, 14 years ago, at the beginning of his Oasis journey. Here he is in the pantry room with his Oasis mentor Terry.
And now, Nelson has a sidekick of his own, his six-year-old daughter, who also is an Oasis volunteer and part of the community. “One of the best memories I’ve had with my daughter is on Tuesday evenings, there were other kids here from newcomer families, and I sat there to chat with them and my daughter was playing with their daughter and it was a beautiful thing. It’s so nice that can happen here.”
So, what’s Nelson’s secret, and what keeps him coming back? Our founder, Phyllis, continues to be an inspiration to him.
“I’ve known Phylis since I was 11 years old. She is one of the most kind and generous and loving people I’ve ever met. Her spirit is what keeps me coming back, because what she started and what she built has remained here to this day. Oasis is all about just accepting people and showing love.”
Thank you for an amazing 14 years, Nelson — from all of us here at Oasis.
“Having started my own journey at Oasis five years ago as a volunteer, Nelson was one of the first people I met. He was quick to welcome me, as he is with anyone who walks through the doors, and immediately shared his passion for Oasis, the community, and the importance of volunteering. ”
