Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010

VANCOUVER, Canada – The talk these days is about everything that has gone wrong so far at the Vancouver Olympics, from overflowing ice cleaning machines to cancelled event tickets.  While the glitches have gotten the press, the real story all over the lower mainland is the amazing friendliness, helpfulness and generosity of tens of thousands of volunteers who have smiled and served their way into the hearts of the international athletes and guests.

“It’s about radical hospitality,” says Karen Reed, ExecutiveDirector of More Than Gold, a network of Christian faith community who has recruited and trained thousands of volunteers for the games.  “Whether we are serving free coffee to people waiting in line-ups, or offering directions and free maps to guests looking for Olympic events, we want everyone to feel generously served.”  The strategy appears to be working.  Reed reports that the locals and visitors on the street have been extremely grateful for the more than 160,000 cups of hot drinks served in the first three days by More Than Gold, as well as the warm conversation and helpful interactions.  More Than Gold has already received commendations fromTransLink, the Vancouver City Police, the RCMP, Vancouver City Hall, North Vancouver City Hall, Richmond City Hall and VANOC about the difference their service is making in adding calm and friendliness to a sometimes harried environment.

“I was quite impressed,” says Olympic spectator Dave Neufeld, who encountered a group of friendly and respectful More Than Gold volunteers on the Olympic line tram to Granville Island.  “It sounds like they were having a great time – they were going to grab a bite at the Market and then head off to the stadium where they were going to distribute more free beverages.” 

For more information, please contact Rachael atinfo@morethangold.ca 

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