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4 Volunteers, Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Volunteers are the heart of the community Continued from pg. 1 I learn about myself and my community. Boyce noted as someone who met many volunteers when she was recovering from a stroke at age nine, she knows the impor- tance of volunteers. Several local politicians were also in attendance and shared their thoughts on volunteering, like Burlington MPP Joyce Savoline, the former Halton chair. To me, volunteering is the life and breath of the community, she said. Its the heart of the community. She noted that volunteering helps build a more cohesive community and even reduces the burden on government spend- ing. The job you (volunteers) do is an ongo- Stroke survivor, and active volunteer, Lauren Boyce recently addressed the students at Park Public School telling them about her challenges after having a stroke at age 9, and her fundraiser walk for the Erin Oaks Rehab Centre. Following her presenta- tion, Park Parents Association gave her a donation to the Erin Oaks cause. Photo by Ted Brown ing important job, she said. Without you, we cant do our job. Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn spoke about how volunteering fits in with peo- ples desire to look out for one another, noting it also really makes us feel good. United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton CEO Darrel Skidmore empha- sized theres a need to expand the number of volunteers in the region. Its becoming clear that agencies are relying more and more on a core group of volunteers, he said. Halton is home to approximately 2,000 community organizations that make up its non-profit and voluntary sector. The Volunteer and... Feel the Magic campaign forms a partnership between the region and Employment Ontario, Volunteer Halton, the Halton Association of Volunteer Administrators and the United Ways of Burlington and Greater Hamilton, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. Those interested in volunteering but dont know where to begin can contact Volunteer Halton at 905-632-1975 or visit www.volunteerhalton.ca. Local residents can also call 211, a free community information and referral ser- vice provided by the region that includes a listing of organizations looking for vol- unteers. For more information on the cam- paign, including how to become involved, visit www.halton.ca/scs.