Volunteer Spotlight – Patrick Burke!

May 1, 2025

Photo of Patrick Burke, Empower N L volunteer, over a background of waves and bubbles. Text reads EmpowerNL's Volunteers Make Waves. The Empower N L logo is in the lower right corner.

Meet Patrick Burke! Another of our fantastic volunteers, who says:

“I first learned of Empower when I worked for GoBus and used to drive clients to the center and often hung out when they had their programs there.

I have volunteered with Empower off and on for about 10 years and would play music for the Thursdays group and at Christmas time. I also play for their Members’ Barbecue.

I’m involved with the Canada Games this year and play music at every seniors home in St. John’s and Mount Pearl, CBS and the Southern Shore.

Volunteering has been my world. It is time consuming but a labor of love. Since I have retired I have been doing it more frequently and being retired from the military it has helped me battle PTSD. Music is my life and to see the smiles on peoples faces make it all worthwhile.

My family has been a positive support throughout my career and everything I do. My partner has to endure me gone most days with all that I do but is 100% supportive. I play hockey 3 times a week and in the summer I trout, play softball and play lots of golf.”