Abdul and Edson colleagues present a Giving Fund cheque to the Edson Food Bank.
Growing up in Kenya, Abdul Nunow experienced firsthand the profound impacts of generosity.
“Volunteer organizations were a big help to my family growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya,” he says. “As an adult living on the other side of the world, donating my time to a good cause feels like a small way to return the kindness we received.”
Abdul is an engineer at our OSB plant in Edson, Alberta. He volunteers at the Edson Food Bank on Thursday evenings, preparing fresh and frozen donated foods for local residents. He also creates volunteer opportunities for his coworkers.
“Abdul organized and led a team-building event to bring more awareness to the food bank and the urgent needs it fulfills in our community,” says Natalie Peace, former Edson mill manager and now Lumber manufacturing director, who nominated Abdul for the Volunteer of the Year award. “I’m very proud of him for his personal commitment to this much-needed local charity.”
For his dedication to human services, Abdul was named one of our 2024 Volunteers of the Year. As part of the award recognition, he received a $5,000 TREE-mendous Matching Gifts reward, which he will be splitting between the Edson Food Bank and World University Service of Canada.
The Edson OSB team Abdul organized to volunteer at the Food Bank.
MEET ABDUL
Tell us a bit about your day job.
I work with the mill team and contractors to complete capital projects and help address areas of the mill that need improvements or upgrades.
What did you think when you found out about the award?
I didn’t know I was nominated, so I was truly shocked. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of a company that values and encourages involvement in the community.
What makes you choose the causes and programs you support?
It’s a challenging time for many. Prices are high for basic needs, and many families are having trouble affording groceries. Every little bit of help we can provide goes a long way.
Abdul and Jasmine deliver turkeys donated by our Edson employees.
What’s your favorite part of the work?
Our food bank clients fill hampers proportionally sized to the number of people in their family, and whenever we can we add extra items for them to take as much of as they need. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they realize I’m going to carry the hamper out to their vehicle for them, and they don’t need to worry.
What advice would you give someone who wants to give back but doesn’t know how or where?
Every community has people who are struggling. It’s easy to find opportunities to help that align with your interests and schedule. Just take that first step by reaching out to an organization for volunteer information. Once you start, you’ll realize how rewarding it feels to participate, even in small ways.
What have you learned by volunteering? How have you benefited or been changed?
Volunteering has taught me the value of small actions. Even the simplest effort can make a difference in someone’s life. Volunteering has been a great way for me to build connections in the community, and it’s fostered teamwork skills that help me in my career.
Abdul prepares fresh and frozen food for Edson Food Bank clients.
What’s next in your volunteer plans for the year ahead?
I can’t believe it’s 2025 already! I’m looking forward to continuing my work at the food bank for the foreseeable future. It’s a very fulfilling way to spend my free time.
How are you distributing your $5,000 TREE-Mendous Matching Gifts grant?
I will give half of the funds to the Edson Food Bank, and the other half to World University Service of Canada, which is a nonprofit organization that gave me the opportunity to come to Canada and pursue a post-secondary education.
