‘It’s in my DNA’: Darren Kints and the power of volunteering

Darren Kints is one of the many volunteers in South Huron improving the lives of those in the community.

By Dan Rolph

In a community like South Huron, many of the things residents value most only exist because someone volunteers to make them happen. Few people embody that more clearly than Darren Kints.

Growing up with parents who were heavily involved in volunteering through sports and the Ladies’ Auxiliary, Kints said he’s always been around the realm of volunteering.

“It’s been around our family since I was little,” he said.

Today, Kints is a staple in the local athletics scene, serving both as a coach and as president in minor sports organizations, as well as with the Exeter Hawks — a natural fit for him.

“After my playing days, it was automatic,” said Kints. “Whether it was on the baseball side or the hockey side, athletics has always been something I’ve volunteered with.

“It’s just always been something that’s always been part of my blood and part of my DNA, to volunteer and give some time back to these sports.”

Volunteering to play a part in local sports is an opportunity to help not only improve the game of local young athletes, but their lives as a whole. Kints said he finds it fulfilling to play a role in the development of the players on his teams, and that it brings him joy to hear former players still calling him “coach” years later.

“That is something that has stuck with me for many years,” he said. “Most people don’t realize the impact they can have as a coach with some of these players. It hit home with me fairly early, whether it’s U11 hockey or U18 baseball, there’s an important connection between a coach and players that’s sometimes hard to describe.

“I’ve had former players reach back out as they’re married and having kids, or reach back out when they’ve struggled in life with some things. It’s deeper than just the game of baseball or the game of hockey.”

Outside of sports, Kints has also had a lasting impact on the regional fundraising world through another cause that he said remains dear to him — the South Huron Hospital Foundation.

Having once served on the foundation’s board, Kints was proud to have been part of the team that created the South Huron Hospital Foundation Gala. The gala, which will mark its 17th annual event this year, has continued to grow into one of the region’s most anticipated and successful fundraisers, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars each year and welcoming guests including Hayley Wickenheiser, Colin Mochrie and Rick Mercer.

“We started the hospital gala and it was, what now seems very small,” he said. “Since that point in time, the gala has grown into a staggering event. Kudos to the people of the hospital foundation who took that and ran with it.”

Kints described volunteering as the “backbone” of South Huron’s community, pointing to the many clubs and organizations that are held together by dedicated residents looking to make their home a better place. As a community without the infrastructure and tax base to offer the same experiences as a larger city, he said volunteers are vital to many parts of small-town life.

“I don’t think South Huron is anywhere near what it is today as a community without the hundreds of volunteers who spend a little bit of time or a lot of their time giving back,” he said. “It is essential for a community this size to have these volunteers.”

While recognizing the vital role of volunteers in the community, Kints spoke directly to those who may have considered getting involved in the past but hadn’t taken that leap yet. He said for many, they often hesitate because it’s difficult to know where to begin.

“It is as simple as reaching out to whatever you’re interested in and asking the question, ‘Do you need a hand with anything?’ It is really that simple, but it’s intimidating,” he said.

Kints said despite what some may assume, volunteering doesn’t need to be a major commitment. He said there are many groups and organizations that are simply looking for an extra set of hands.

“It sounds simple, but it is truly something you walk away from with a smile when you’ve given a bit of your time,” he said. “That truly makes South Huron what it is.”

For Kints, the rewards of volunteering have never been about recognition. They’re about strengthening the relationships that make South Huron feel like home. His story is a reminder that community doesn’t happen by accident. It is built by people willing to step up and lend a hand.