Article by: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2
While many spend their summer leave relaxing, WO Adam Crozier from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) chose to invest his time serving the community once again. Contributing more than 30 hours of volunteer service to supporting the Edmonton Taiwanese Association (ETA) during the 2026 Edmonton Heritage Festival, helping with setup, operations, and cleanup throughout the event.
This year's festival held special significance for the Crozier family, as WO Crozier was joined by his 10-year-old daughter, Eleri Crozier, who experienced one of Canada's largest celebrations of multiculturalism for the first time as a volunteer. Together, the father-daughter team demonstrated how community service can foster leadership, cultural awareness, and meaningful connections across diverse communities.
"I want to expose my children to our diverse communities at an early age and help eliminate biases and assumptions that can create barriers between people," said WO Crozier. "Volunteering at events like this also highlights the military's presence within the community and provides an opportunity to share the benefits and career opportunities the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) offers to Canadians from all backgrounds, including immigrants and visible minority groups."
For Crozier, meaningful integration and understanding are achieved through direct engagement and cultural immersion. He believes that actively participating in community events and experiencing different cultures firsthand is far more impactful than attending lectures or briefings alone.
The Edmonton Heritage Festival returned to William Hawrelak Park for the first time since the pandemic, marking a highly anticipated homecoming for the city's premier cultural celebration. Despite weather challenges and early closures during the first two days, the festival attracted more than 100,000 visitors on its last day. Stationed at the Taiwanese pavilion, Adam and Eleri quickly became an integral part of the operation. Running the drink station, the duo worked tirelessly to produce and serve refreshing smoothies throughout the exceptionally hot weekend. Their efforts helped keep visitor wait times low and contributed to the pavilion's ability to recover losses caused by the earlier weather-related interruptions. For Eleri, the experience was much more than volunteering. "It was a truly amazing experience," she said. "I met so many interesting people and started building friendships. Working together helped me learn about teamwork and how we can achieve the same goals. It has made me more interested in stepping outside my comfort zone and exploring the many unique cultures that make Canada great. Plus, I love the free drinks."
The festival's success was achieved despite significant challenges related to weather and traffic management from many volunteers like Crozier family. Throughout the weekend, WO Crozier's presence also attracted numerous serving and retired members who stopped by to support the Taiwanese pavilion and engage with visitors. Their attendance helped showcase the strong relationship between the military and the communities it serves. Many young visitors took the opportunity to learn more about careers in the CAF, with several expressing interest in future opportunities within the military and law enforcement.
The Crozier family's involvement demonstrates how community engagement can strengthen cultural understanding while developing the next generation of leaders. By volunteering together, Adam and Eleri not only supported the ETA but also embodied the values of service, inclusion, and citizenship that contribute to a stronger Canada.
As another successful Heritage Festival ends, visitors can look forward to seeing familiar faces next year. The father-daughter volunteer team has already expressed interest in returning to continue building connections, supporting cultural diversity, and inspiring future generations through community service by getting involved in similar events as it is the most effective way to establish human connections.
Thank you for your service.
CHIMO!