Volunteers Cast a Beautiful Shadow is the motto of this year’s National Volunteer Week, and no wonder, with so many volunteers across this nation improving the lives of Canadians.
According to Statistics Canada, “more than 13.3 million people, or 47 per cent of the population, volunteered their time through a group or organization” in 2010.
Volunteer Canada, an organization which has been promoting volunteerism in Canada since 1977, encourages individuals and communities to take National Volunteer Week as an opportunity to thank their volunteers.
National Volunteer Week 2013 takes place April 21 to 27 and has had an official welcome to the Comox Valley.
Comox Valley mayors Leslie Baird (Cumberland), Paul Ives (Comox) and Larry Jangula (Courtenay) signed a proclamation in recognition of National Volunteer Week.
They acknowledge the vital roles of volunteers of all ages in our communities who: “mentor our children, feed our hungry, comfort our lonely, beautify our green spaces, and fundraise for our charitable organizations.”
In addition, the mayors, through the proclamation ask citizens of the Comox Valley “to recognize the crucial role played by volunteers in our community.”
This is good news for volunteerism, and is an opportunity for gratitude to the many volunteers who improve the quality of life of persons in the Comox Valley.
Tyler Voigt, operations manager of ValleyLinks – Home of Volunteer Comox Valley — welcomes the official announcement.
“Having the mayors of all three municipalities sign the proclamation in the recognition of National Volunteer Week further solidifies the values of building healthy and sustainable communities; volunteering keeps us all connected,” Voigt says.
ValleyLinks – Home of Volunteer Comox Valley — in celebration of National Volunteer Week, and the Youth Take Action Project are hosting the 2013 Volunteer Fair.
This event is free to the public and takes place this Friday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School (in the gymnasium). Organizations from the Comox Valley will have displays with information about their organization and volunteer opportunities.
ValleyLinks — Home of Volunteer Comox Valley — is dedicated to enhancing volunteerism through the delivery of community information resources, services and programs.
For more information, contact ValleyLinks at 250-334-8063 or visit online at valleylinks.net.
— ValleyLinks