National Volunteer Week 2025

As part of National Volunteers Month and National Volunteers Week April 27-May 3, Swim Ontario would like to thank our hard working volunteers who give their time and commitment to help our sport and community on a daily basis. We will be highlighting many of our wonderful volunteers over the next few weeks.

There are countless stories about people who give their time, effort and devotion to helping others - and don’t expect any rewards, recognition or payment.

There’s a word for it - and believed to have originated in the 16th century with a French connection.

It’s called “volunteer”.

"The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others."

You may have never heard the name DeAnn Hollis, whose passion for volunteering is enormous. However, that quote from her emphasizes the impact of volunteering for many.

April is an important time of the year - Global Volunteer Month. In Canada, we celebrate National Volunteer Week from April 27 to May 3. It’s a time of praising, honoring and recognizing the dedication by some 25 million people across the country, who have made an exceptional impact on society.

Jeff Holmes is one of those individuals.

To be clear and succinct, Holmes has motivated individuals and ignited communities because of his genuine passion to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The path to being your best, isn’t always in the form of citations, trophies or remuneration. Try just goodness at heart. And so, you won’t find Holmes’ name on any claim to fame list. His story is one of prestige and derives around the intelligence as well as the ability to give back to the community.

For an incredible 40 years, Holmes – always one displaying a positive attitude - has volunteered his time, knowledge and ability with an intention of making things better.

Holmes was born in the northwestern Ontario town of Keewatin, which became part of Kenora. It’s located in the beauty of Lake of the Woods and close to the Manitoba border.

While Holmes competed in a variety of sports as a teenager, his aspirations of playing high school football didn’t materialize. That’s because he broke a bone in his leg while attempting a long jump in the backyard of a neighbour. Several years later, in what he called a freak accident in a schoolyard, Holmes fractured a few bones in his left arm.

Now, the good news.

His journey in life has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Like most youngsters, Holmes took his share of lessons. First, it was learning to swim. At age six, playing the piano became part of his life. As he got older, his interest turned to mathematics and physics. Then came journalism. Holmes would drop that and pursue the artistic world. Music and Holmes would eventually become partners.

He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University followed by a Masters’ degree at the University of British Columbia. However, it wasn’t always playing the piano. Holmes also had a baritone voice and sang professionally - including in concert with places like the Vancouver Symphony.

Unsure of making a career in music, the passion to learn was always evident. So did his desire to educate others, and he turned to teaching elementary school. Yes, he taught music, too.

However, it was when his son took swim lessons back in 1985 that Holmes – tired with spectator duties – decided to get involved. He enrolled in a clinic for swim officials. Sitting and watching that first swim meet in the community of Red Lake, was all he needed to get active.

A new world of engagement opened for him. It was the beauty of volunteering. Dedicating time and skills for a cause. It was a lightning rod of motivation for Holmes.

“It was a natural for me,” said Holmes. “I grew up watching my parents’ volunteer. My first (volunteer) job was with the local Lions Club. I saw what it meant then and today. We live in a remarkable country - and we need to give back to it. I see volunteering as a community responsibility.”

Four decades later, Holmes – who became a Master official in 1992, refereed his first Nationals four years later – has been involved in all forms of swimming. They included age group, masters, open water, national level, and international meets for athletes with various disabilities.

For Holmes, travelling between northwestern Ontario communities like Dryden, Fort Frances, Atikokan and Thunder Bay, in the 1980’s and 1990’s, involved hundreds of kilometres plus challenges with inclement weather. These days, it can still be an issue for others.

“There are not enough people to run (swim) events and if people don’t volunteer, they just don’t happen,” added the 75-year-old Holmes, whose has had a huge amount of volunteer work in the Greater Toronto Area since moving to Mississauga in 2003.

“There is a joy in watching kids and it also fosters positive values. The teacher side of me is a positive force – and I want to see it continue.”

While Holmes never pursued competitive swimming, sticking to the recreational side, Holmes has been an official’s educator, teaching dozens of clinics, and being heavily involved by evaluating and raising officials duties to major levels.

From small meets to international events Holmes has officiated from coast to coast and around the world from Sweden to Italy, Sao Paulo to Santiago, and the list goes on. Toss in numerous locations across Canada and the United States.

His wish list still has one objective – the experience of officiating at an Olympic or Paralympic Games.

“That would be a dream,” said Holmes, who was also a former Board member with Swim Ontario. “From my perspective, there is a huge satisfaction with interaction that is rewarding. I don’t volunteer for recognition.”

Holmes, who had taught for almost three decades, was also active with the Ontario Teachers Federation (OTF) and worked as Director of Pension and Economic Affairs with OTF for nine years. He retired in 2012 and capped his career by being recognized with an Honorary Life Member Award from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.