After one of her shifts at the Hands-on Biodiversity Gallery, ROM volunteer Helen Hatton said to her husband, “Honey, do you want to hear about the sex life of hissing cockroaches?” Her husband, whom Helen describes as “a delightful retired geek,” calmly replied, “Let’s have a drink first.”

He later observed that Helen and her colleagues at the ROM were all “a bit around the bend.” “He’s right,” Helen admits. “And that’s what I love!”

This week marks National Volunteer Week, an annual event that recognizes and celebrates the important contributions that volunteers make each day in Canada and around the globe. Volunteer Canada says volunteer action is like a stone thrown in a lake: its effects have both a direct impact and far-reaching ripples that improve our communities. At the ROM, we are proud to celebrate the incredible volunteers who help the Museum build community, nurture discovery, and create a superb experience for our visitors.