VOLUNTEERS FOR A SMILE
“Empowering the World, One Smile at a Time”
GET INVLOVED!
Meet our lovely team!
Note: shall positions become available, applications to join the executive team are usually open at the end of the winter term in early March.
Founder & Co-President:
Aissam Souidi
"You probably got no idea how wonderful it is, to have someone like you, taking the time to support sick people " one of the patients told me as I was volunteering at the hospital. I guess I have always been fascinated by how little can one do to impact another's life. Growing up, I have learned that you can never judge someone until you have walked in their shoes. This experience allows me to meet different people and learn about their stories while sharing mine. To me, there is nothing as fulfilling as being able to connect with somone you have never met before and make an impact on them. Aside from volunteering, I am a chemical engineering student who is passionate about rocket science, photography & swimming. In my free time, you will also find me watching Grey's Anatomy, reading or loudly singing Adele songs!
Co-President & Musical Director:
Michael Bruccoleri
One of the most emotional memories that I have of being a V4S member was when a hospital patient with tears down their eyes thanked us and said for the first time they will smile today because we sang “We wish you a merry Christmas” for him and his wife.
During the years there have been tears of sadness and joy but almost too much for a boy like me to not have tears myself. Those tears remind me that there should be more people like us, as we should not just take care of a hospital patient’s health but also their hearts.
V4S delivered cards, treats but most importantly provided our time so that patients could feel more at home. Even if my visit was to make one person smile then it would feel worth it.
It is not only the patients but their family’s kind words and smiles that raise my spirits. This showed me that V4S does not only effect the patients but also their families and health care workers. This is why I like to tell patients: “Don’t forget to spread the joy to your family as well” because V4S, by effecting social groups connected to patients, starts a self-perpetuating cycle of positivity.
Co-President
Darian McCabe
Hi everyone!! My name is Darian McCabe and I am super excited to be one of the co-presidents of Volunteers for a Smile this year. I am in my final year of my bachelor of science at McGill of which I am majoring in psychology and minoring in interdisciplinary life science! I am from Newfoundland, Canada and will be staying here for the semester but I am excited to organize remote events and ways to keep our community smiling during the pandemic. I have volunteered with many clubs at McGill but V4S is definitely my favourite! I love the creative freedom that the club has given me to produce new ideas to spread joy like Daily Smiles and Smiles for Saviours. Additionally, the patients always bring such a huge smile to my face and I look forward to being able to visit them again!
Co-President
Donna Lee
I am a U2 student at McGill University, currently studying international development and psychology. My hobbies include yoga, cooking, and taking long walks in the park. Currently, I serve as Co-president for V4S and loves every moment of it.
VP Finance
Elodie Woo
When I was younger, I often visited a friend who used to be hospitalized. This made me realize that hospitals were a lot more than just places where people receive treatments. They were places that reunited people, where they could share warmth even during difficult times. I joined V4S because I strongly believed that each one of us could bring happiness to people who are in/at the hospital, whether it be patients and their relatives, nurses or even ourselves. Join us and come share the warmth as well!
VP Events
Dhara Patel
Hi Everyone! My name is Dhara and I am serving as the VP of events for V4S. I am currently doing a PhD in molecular biology at UdeM. From making crafts for the patients to distributing the goodies and smiles, I've had so many great memories at the V4S events. I am looking forward to the next events and ways in which we can continue to uphold our club mission of spreading smiles :)
Executive Member
Bernice Wong
Hi! My name is Bernice and I’m super excited to continue to be an executive member of Volunteers for a Smile this year! I look forward to planning different types of remote events to help keep our communities smiling during these unprecedented times. I look forward to working with different people, organizations and clubs to help the world stay positive and keep testing negative!
Executive Member
Esdras Corrêa
I am an enthusiastic of life. I love to help people and interestingly the meaning of my name is “friend, the one who helps”. I came to Canada to pursue my studies and being abroad in a new country, it is not always easy to socialize. V4S is an amazing opportunity to go out of my bubble, meet super nice people and help others to smile. My role in V4S involves making cards and playing my violin or cello to make the patients happy. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, hiking in nature, surfing, animals and playing a lot of music.