Seth Burwell is the youngest volunteer to ever work at the 70 Mile Access Centre
An eight-year-old has been recognized by staff at the 70 Mile Access Centre (SMAC) for his volunteerism.
Seth Burwell was recently given a letter and certificate by SMAC for his volunteer work. In the letter, which was written by SMAC manager director Carly Cornett, Burwell had completed around 14 volunteer hours for the access centre from July 12 to August 27. As part of the volunteer duties, he had helped to organize the new toy area to keep it in order, as well as being helpful and respectful to the customers. He is by far the youngest volunteer SMAC has ever had, as he was seven years old when he volunteered for them.
“Seth demonstrated exceptional dedication and enthusiasm during his volunteer hours. His willingness to help and positive attitude made a significant impact,” Cornett wrote in her letter.
Burwell said they made their own toy section in SMAC , and it would always turn out to be nice.
“Sometimes we come back and it’s messy, but we always clean it up,” Burwell said.
In addition, because people donate to SMAC toys – as SMAC is a former school repurposed as a thrift store – Burwell would also check to make sure the toys worked.
“We would make sure they work. If parts were missing, either we would put them somewhere and find them, and maybe we could find any other – maybe we could find the pieces to them,” Burwell explained.
He would also help those shopping at SMAC to find what they needed.
“They would ask me what they would need, and I would find it for them,” Burwell explained.
Rita Dixon, who describes herself as “like a grandma to him” and who has looked after Burwell since he was a baby, said that, like other kids, she would supervise Burwell’s friends when they came to visit and play.
“I would go outside with them and supervise them playing – but what happened when your friends came?” Dixon asked Burwell during the interview.
“We actually, instead of playing, we made our own little team, and they became my helpers, and they helped me,” Burwell answered.
Dixon explained further, saying that when Burwell’s friends had come to SMAC, they would usually go to the toy centre or visit with him, who would then direct them to find jobs for them to do.
“At that time, we were moving in furniture – like moving in giant furniture – so that they became a big help,” Burwell explained. Dixon added that the kids were carrying chairs and tables while setting up the toy centre.
“He had them all working,” Dixon explained.
Burwell said that he had begun volunteering after Dixon asked him to do it. Dixon explained she thought it was just an ideal time for him to learn what volunteering is.
“I think all kids should go through that process,” Dixon explained. She had talked to Shelly Guy, who was the coordinator with SMAC, about potentially having him work with the access centre.
“So I talked to her, and Shelly said, for sure, bring him over. And so she showed him all around SMAC, and then we thought, we’ll try it for an hour. And he was hooked. So now, it’s two or three hours whenever he goes,” Dixon noted.
Burwell attends the David Stoddart School, which is located in Clinton, B.C., and is in Grade 3. Burwell has said that he has yet to tell the students and teachers in the school about receiving the certificate. But even at school, Burwell is well recognized.
“I’ve gotten the nicest boy award two years in a row now,” Burwell explained. Dixon said that the award shows him to be just the kindest, empathetic person there who cares about other kids.
Even in school, Burwell believes in the value of helping and getting others to help.
“I’ve organized some of my friends who agreed to clean up garbage all around the school fields,” Burwell said.
Burwell says he plans to volunteer with SMAC next year in 2026, but has no idea where else he will be volunteering besides SMAC.
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