Liana Palmer moved to the Brighton area in the 1980s after retiring. When she was working, she didn’t have the time to volunteer much but moving to a smaller community, enjoying the more relaxing pace, inspired her to begin volunteering and now finds herself volunteering with many causes in the Brighton community.
“I was never able to do much volunteering while working but once I arrived in Brighton, I had time and starting putting my hand up, and have never stopped,” said Liana Palmer.
Currently she is passionate about the Codrington Community Centre Association, and the Farmers Market that they host there every Sunday throughout the summer and fall and HUGS in Brighton.
When Liana first moved to her retirement home just north of Brighton between the Town of Brighton and Codrington, she began to miss the day to day social interaction that living in a city brings.
“I didn’t know anyone here and I was out driving when I saw a sign for fresh eggs, and stopped in to buy some,” said Liana. “The women selling the eggs and I got chatting and after a bit she asked me where I was from and after sharing with her that I was new to area, she asked if I would like to come to a Women’s Institute meeting with her, to meet some other local ladies. I agreed and the rest is history.”
For over 125 years, Women’s Institute (WI) members have actively worked together for family, home, community and country. Through education and support programs and services, FWIO’s original focus expanded to include personal growth opportunities, government lobbying and health and community wellness projects.
At the time, Liana didn’t know what the Institute was but connected with their vision and after attending a few meetings got involved in their fundraising efforts, they didn’t have a hall to meet in and they were looking to build one in Codrington that would also be open to the public as well.
“Back then, there were no government grants available, all the fundraising was done with events, sales, anything and everything,” added Liana. “If it wasn’t for the Women’s Institute, we would not have the building we have today.”
When it was finally completed, Liana joined the board of the Codrington Community Centre Association (CCCA) board and has been an active member of the CCCA for over 40 years.
“I am proud of the most recent fundraising project to purchase the new electronic sign board that will be on Hwy 30,” said Liana. “We will use it to promote our events and the events from nearby communities to all the cars that go by the centre, to raise awareness of all the great programming that is offered in the Centre and close by.”
The Farmers Market had been an idea that Liana and several community members had for the Centre over the years.
“We wanted to have a sheltered space for larger events and adding the Farmers Market was supported by the McCann family and the Ontario Trillium Foundation and we opened 8 years ago,” added Liana.
You will find Liana most Sundays at the market and works tirelessly to promote it and its venders.
Liana’s newest volunteer passion is her involvement in the Hugs in Brighton group that are assisting Ukrainian families to Brighton.
“I was approached by someone to attend a Zoom meeting to learn more about the hard work that the HUGS group was doing to relocate and assist Ukrainians to the area, I was so impressed that I joined this group in early May as a member of their fundraising committee.”
Like many Canadians, Liana saw the carnage that has been happening in the Ukraine and to its people who are being forced to flee their homes, seeking safety away from the bombing and the war.
“I never have had to worry about safety or being forced to leave my home,” said Liana. “I sent a donation to the Red Cross but it felt so impersonal and I wanted to do something more.”
Finding like-minded people like Liana, the HUGS in Brighton group have had several successful fundraising projects, are selling hoodies and shirts with lots of new things coming later in the summer and into the fall.
“People in the Brighton area are so supportive and generous, and I am so pleased with the response that we have been receiving for HUGS and our fundraising efforts for this cause.”
Liana’s advice to others considering volunteering is simple, find something that interests you and do it.
“Volunteering brings more you than it does to the cause,” said Liana. “It is so rewarding to do something without expectation of reward or recognition. Just find something that you love to do. If you love to read, there are opportunities to read to seniors, or to children. If you play an instrument, you can play for others. If you bake, share it, even taking someone out for lunch is helpful too.”
When a friend of Liana’s, Sharon Graham recently won an award as Citizen of the Year, she said in her acceptance speech, “Small deeds make a big impact, and if you can’t find something to do, call me.”
Liana agreed with this statement and added, “Or you can call me.”
Liana is a great representative of local volunteers, who do what they can to make the Municipality of Brighton a better place, not only for local residents but help others that are in need too.
Congratulations, Liana for all the work that you do for the CCCA, the Farmers Market and Hugs in Brighton.
For more information about: CCCA – (4) Codrington Community Centre | Facebook – Codrington Farmers’ Market (codringtonfarmersmarket.ca)
Hugs in Brighton – HUGS in Brighton – Home (facebook.com)
Volunteer Appreciation Day, powered by Coldwell Banker RMR Real Estate.
To hear more about Liana Palmer, one of Northumberland’s outstanding volunteers, click on the audio link below to hear our full interview.
