Meet Sarah: From Volunteer to Team Lead
When Sarah Nguyen first walked into a Community Relief Network warehouse on a rainy Saturday morning in 2024, she had no particular plan. A friend had mentioned that CRN needed extra hands for a food packing event, and Sarah, a recent graduate settling into life in Oshawa, thought she would give a few hours and move on. Two years later, she coordinates the entire Oshawa distribution operation, manages a rotating team of 15 volunteers, and has become one of the most trusted leaders in our organization.
From Packing Boxes to Leading Teams
Sarah's journey is one that many volunteers will recognize. It began with the simple, physical work of sorting donations and assembling hampers. She came back the next weekend, and the one after that. Within a month, she was training new volunteers on packing procedures. Within three months, she had redesigned our inventory tracking system, cutting hamper assembly time by nearly a third. Her quiet competence did not go unnoticed. When our Oshawa site coordinator stepped down to pursue graduate studies, Sarah was the unanimous choice to fill the role.
Today, Sarah oversees Saturday distribution days that serve between 30 and 60 families each week. She coordinates with local food suppliers, manages volunteer scheduling, and serves as the first point of contact for families arriving to collect their hampers. It is a role that demands organizational skill, empathy, and composure under pressure, and Sarah brings all three in abundance. She has a particular gift for making families feel welcome and at ease during what can be a vulnerable moment.
Why She Stays
When asked what keeps her coming back, Sarah speaks not about logistics or leadership, but about connection. She recalls a grandmother who visited the distribution centre every other Saturday for months. One day, the woman brought a container of homemade spring rolls for the volunteer team. It was a small gesture, but it captured something essential about the relationship CRN builds with the people it serves. This is not charity delivered from a distance. It is neighbours taking care of neighbours, and the gratitude flows in both directions.
Sarah's story is not unique at CRN. Across our programs, we see volunteers discover capacities they did not know they had, build friendships that extend far beyond the warehouse, and develop professional skills that open new doors. For Sarah, volunteering became a pathway to community, purpose, and a career in nonprofit management that she is now actively pursuing. We could not be prouder to have her on the team.
If Sarah's story resonates with you, we would love to welcome you into the CRN volunteer family. No experience is necessary, only the willingness to show up and make a difference. Visit our volunteer page to learn more about upcoming opportunities across Durham Region and the GTA.