It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week!

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week! Did you know that, according to Statistics Canada, in 2018 almost 12.7 million Canadians volunteered with a charity, not-for-profit or community organization? They gave approximately 1.7 billion hours of their time, which is equivalent to more than 863,000 full-time jobs! Hospitals, religious organizations and sports and recreation received the most volunteers and volunteers are more likely to be baby boomers or matures. In addition, almost three quarters of Canadians volunteer informally, helping an elderly neighbour, bringing the snack for the soccer team, picking up trash or helping a friend in their garden. The pandemic has changed some of the ways that we volunteer, but the volunteer spirit is still strong in Flamborough!

Do you know an amazing volunteer who is 55 years of age or older? Have they volunteered in Flamborough for at least three years? What about a youth volunteer who is between 12 and 25 who has volunteered in Flamborough for at least 2 years (excluding volunteer hours required for high school graduation)? Nominations for the Senior Volunteer Award and Youth Volunteer Award are now open! Candidates must be nominated on behalf of a non-profit/charitable organization or community representative. You can find nomination forms on the Flamborough Connects website (flamboroughconnects.ca) under Flamborough Volunteers. And save the date! The Flamborough Volunteer Awards will be held on June 15, 2023.

Speaking of volunteers, Flamborough Connects is recruiting volunteers for our Board of Directors. Information is available on the Flamborough Connects website (flamboroughconnects.ca) under About Us – Careers.

And Flamborough Connects is also looking for volunteer callers for our new Friendly Calling Program. Volunteers will call clients once per week for a minimum 15-minute telephone chat to provide a sense of companionship and support, social interaction and engaging conversation with a rural or isolated Flamborough resident. Training will be provided. Please contact Flamborough Connects at 905-689-7880 for more information or to register as a volunteer caller or a client.

Flamborough Connects would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of our volunteers, from Snow Angels to volunteer shoppers and drivers to volunteer income tax preparers and our newest volunteer Friendly Callers. We couldn’t do what we do without you!

And THANK YOU to all of the volunteers in our community, no matter where you volunteer or if your volunteering is formal or informal. Volunteerism is the fabric of our community. The difference you make is enormous! And the value you add is very appreciated.