Big Small Acts of Kindness: Pauline Cormier

High angle view of a cardboard box filled with multicolored non-perishable canned goods, conserves, sauces and oils shot on wooden table. The composition includes cooking oil bottle, pasta, crackers, preserves and tins.

Allstate Canada Group and its employees care deeply about the wellbeing of people and organizations across Canada, and we are proud to support them as they give back to their communities.
Although the current pandemic has not always allowed our employees to volunteer in a traditional manner, many have decided to get creative. These Big Small Acts of Kindness are examples of simple things that many people can do and might make a big impact for those in need. As an example, here is the story of one of our employees:

Name of Employee: Pauline Cormier
Job Title: Business Development Agent
Number of Years at Allstate Canada Group of Companies: Since August 2020
Charity/Organization Supported: Shumilacke Food Bank

Allstate Agent Pauline Cormier

  1. Tell us the story of how you started working with one of the community food drives you support. I’ve always had a passion for giving back to my community, but I often had trouble finding the time to volunteer, or not having extra funds available to donate. Learning how supportive Allstate Canada is in regards to volunteering, I found time to help support our local food bank in Shubenacadie, NS who have experienced hardship as a result of the global pandemic. Using our community Facebook page, I networked with my neighbours and other volunteers to organize a contactless food drive.
  2. Why are you passionate about this cause? I am passionate about this cause because I recognize that just about anyone can succumb to financial hardship, and it’s important that we are able to band together as a community to help those in need. It may not be easy for others to ask for help, but it’s certainly easy for others to offer help to those struggling.
  3. What does volunteerism mean to you? When I think of volunteerism, I think of an old adage popular within my family; “It takes a village”, meaning that you can’t do everything on your own; you need the help and support of your community.
  4. How has your volunteerism adapted to COVID? Although I am no longer able to volunteer in person at the food bank, I have been able to volunteer through fundraising efforts online and by simply donating items and food through community donation locations.
  5. What advice would you give to people looking to volunteer but don’t know how to get started? I would suggest taking a drive in your own community to identify areas that you feel as though you can offer assistance. You can follow local community group online, or even simply doing a spring cleaning of your home and looking for items you can donate.
  6. What are you hoping to accomplish in 2021 with other businesses/organizations? I’m hoping to become more involved in fundraising efforts for our local softball c. As an organization, we often brainstorm ways we can give back to various charities in our communities. Though I’ve been involved in many of their initiatives, I hope to take on more of an active role to help with the expansion of our events, increase awareness of the causes we support, and drive participation.