These days, with all the turmoil in the world, thank goodness for the sunshine bringers. They’re the people with a great outlook and spreading acts of kindness comes naturally.
Sir James Matthew Barrie, the Scottish novelist and playwright who wrote Peter Pan, summed it up best when he said “those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.”
Jacqui Hill is one of those special people with a quick wit mixed with some welcome sarcasm and a lot of kindness.
Like many strong women, Jacqui was influenced by her mother, who volunteered with the Red Cross in Dryden. It was only natural that Jacqui would follow her mother’s lead, and at the age of 13, she became a candy striper at the Dryden Hospital. When she was 19, she moved to Thunder Bay to live with her grandma-and never left.
Fast forward to 2025: Jacqui has worked at the Northern Credit Union for 26 years. Through her job, she has volunteered at many local events, including Brew Ha, Wake the Giant, RibFest and more. While that is Jacqui’s “main job”, she has many other irons in the fire. She also works part time at the Fort William Gardens during the North Stars/Thunder Wolves hockey games, concerts and the Folklore Festival. She also works at the Branch 5 Legion on Van Norman Street-her “fun job” as she calls it. “I can see many different bands, be a part of all the parties, and then there’s the people. Working with all the volunteers who help run the event is awesome”, shares Jacqui.
So why does someone with a full-time job, several part-time jobs, and volunteer commitments keep doing it? The answer is this: “I worked the part-time jobs to travel and have extra money.” Her travel bucket has included trips to Peru, Banff, and—for the past four years—girls’ trips to Toronto, Montreal, Chicago and San Francisco.
Among all of the things going on in her busy life, Jacqui is also an accomplished runner. “It all started when I quit smoking in 2014. I signed up to train for a race and ended up going to San Francisco to run a half marathon.” Using running as a crutch to quit smoking worked well for her. When she got back from San Francisco, she got a job at the Running Room, training others for their first half marathons. “I also taught the Run Quit program, where people who wanted to quit smoking signed up for a running program.
So far, Jacqui has run four full marathons, including the Chicago Marathon in 2019: “A million spectators watching—it was the most amazing run!” One of her memorable moments was at the end of that race: “My friends were waiting at the finish line, and when they finally found me, I had an ice pack on my hip, a beer in one hand, and was smoking a cigar which she has since quit. She has also ran the Toronto Waterfront Marathon three times, and at least 20 half marathons in cities including San Francisco, New York City, and Nashville, Tennessee. She has ambitions for more, including the Zion National Park Half Marathon and even the Great Wall of China Marathon.
Jacqui credits her friend Lori with keeping her motivated. “She puts my run dates on my calendar and all I have to do is set my alarm and meet her in the morning. If she didn’t do that, I probably wouldn’t go”.
Jacqui has volunteered with Team Unbreakable, a 10 week youth running program for kids ages 10 to 18. This is her eighth year with them and it’s been very rewarding. “I see the kids out in the community all the time and they say ‘hey weren’t you my run coach’? It makes me happy to make a difference in their lives”, smiles Jacqui.
I asked her if her family gets involved in these events. “My kids are older, and only once has one joined me in a 5 km race, but my granddaughter, Jaida, who is now ten, signed up for Team Unbreakable and ran her first 5K race this June, that was pretty special”.
Is there anything else Jacqui could possibly squeeze into her life? Of course! “I do have a fun hobby—contesting!
I enter contests online every day. I’ve won a trip to Hawaii, a family trip to Chicago, a $10,000 fashion makeover trip to Toronto from Flair Magazine, a week-long trip to the Grey Cup from Pepsi, and many more exciting prizes!”
Am I the only one who wants to rub my lottery tickets on Jacqui next time I see her, hoping some of that winning luck will rub off?
Jacqui’s life is all about connection, kindness, and fun. She’s living proof of what J.M. Barrie meant—sharing sunshine with others only increases your own. She’s found her perfect mix: work, travel, volunteering, and joy. And she’s a beautiful example for us all.
