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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 26, 2008 - 21 National Volunteer Week April 27 -May 3, 2008 VOLUNTEERS GROW COMMUNITY National Volunteer Week National Volunteer Week is a special time set aside in April to honour the people who donate their time and energy to their fellow citizens. It is also meant to raise awareness of the vital contribution volunteers make to our communities and to the identity and values of our country. How it all started... National Volunteer Week was first proclaimed in 1943 in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Women's Voluntary Services organized special events to draw the public's attention to the vital contribution women made to the war effort on the home front. In the late 1960s, the idea of a designated week to honour volunteers was revived, and the focus was broadened to include all community volunteers. With Local Volunteer Centre taking the lead, this special week grew in importance during the 1970s and 1980s. Objective of Volunteer Week: 1. To raise the awareness about the vital contribution volunteers have made and continue to make to Canadian communities and to society as a whole. 2. To Thank and honour Volunteers past and present across Canada. Each community takes time during this week to honour volunteers. Interesting facts... · Canada's nonprofit and voluntary sector is the second largest in the world; the Netherlands is the largest: the United States is 5th · An estimated 161,000 nonprofits in Canada · Half of these(54 per cent)are run entirely by volunteers · The sector represents $79.1 billion or 7.8 per cent of the GDP (larger than automotive or manufacturing industries) · Canada has the 2nd largest voluntary sector in the world - 6.5 million volunteer, 161,000 charitable, nonprofit and voluntary organizations in Canada · Volunteers give 2 billion hours = to 1 million full time jobs. In 1997 (the last full data available) the GDP of the voluntary sector was 6.9 per cent or $57.5 billion. Adding the Volunteer Contribution value to it increases it to 8.6 per cent or $71.5 Billion. This makes the voluntary sector four times the size of agriculture, two times the size of mining and oil - 11 times the size of the motor vehicle manufacturing · Employee support of volunteering seems to be on the upswing. In 2000, 27 per cent employed volunteers said their employers let them modify their work hours in order to volunteer, and 22 per cent received recognition from their employer for their volunteer work. Corporations continue to support the not for profit sector, through monetary and gift in kind donations. · Youth volunteering is on the increase. Volunteering is now accepted as work experience on resumes and is a requirement for a high school diploma. · Volunteers who benefit from some form of support from their employer contribute onethird more hours than other volunteers www.volunteer.ca How to become a Volunteer? Contact Volunteer Halton 905-878-0955 www.volunteerhalton.ca Is that a myth or reality? Myth: The government's extensive social service net adequately meets the needs of Canadians. Reality: There are 161,000 Canadian Charities and nonprofits organizations providing services that address social, cultural, economic and environmental issues Myth: Charities have become big business wasting the majority of donation dollars on infrastructure Reality: 42 per cent of the 161,000 Charities operate on an annual budget of under $30K. More than 50 per cent have no paid staff and rely solely on volunteers to fulfill their missions. Less than 1 per cent has annual revenues over $10 million Myth: The Voluntary Sector is a drain on Canadian taxpayers Reality: Government funding accounts for less than half of the overall operating budgets of voluntary sector organizations. In fact, many organizations receive no funding at all and are solely dependent upon donations and earned revenue. Myth: Although "good work" is done, the voluntary sector does not have economic value Reality: The voluntary sector annually creates employment for 2 million people and generates $112 billion towards serving the needs of Canadians. For every paid position, the voluntary sector utilizes the skills of six volunteers, whose annual contribution of 12 million volunteers is valued at $14.1 billion. The voluntary sector represents a higher GDP than agriculture, mining and oil extraction, retail trade, accommodation and food services, and motor vehicle manufacturing. www.volunteer.ca NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK April 27th to May 3rd, 2008. Volunteers: Making a Difference! To the Volunteers of Oakville Thank You for Your tal Contribution which s our Community Strong. Oakville-Milton & Halton Hills Branch 407 Speers Rd., Unit #202 A Heartfelt Thank You To all our wonderful volunteers for their support, hard work and dedication to our mission; `to enable all people in Canada to improve their health, safety and quality of life by providing training and community service'. Volunteers Make a Difference in Our Community Learn Valuable Skills ­ Give Back to Your Community · Volunteer opportunities available for all ages 6 and up · Join our Adult, Youth or Therapy Dog Volunteer Programs · Sign up today for a First Aid, CPR or Babysitter training course St. John Ambulance Oakville is a not-for-profit, nondenominational, multi-cultural, charitable organization. As a leader in First Aid, we offer recognized training courses, safety kits, supplies and services. Proceeds are used to support our community health and safety programs. V Volunteer Halton r www.volunteerhalton.ca 905-469-9325 United Way Agency 905-632-1975 To all our volunteers, Thank You. PRESENTS Thank you Acclaim Health Volunteers! Your commitment & dedication is appreciated. With your help, we have given back over $1,800,000 to the community in the past 16 years. If your group is looking for ways to raise funds, please contact us at 905-847-7975 www.oakvillefestival.com Thank you to our 856 dedicated volunteers for making a positive difference in the lives of thousands of individuals in need every year. Interested in volunteering, contact us today! 905-827-8800 ext. 2317 volunteering@acclaimhealth.ca www.acclaimhealth.ca Alzheimer Services Community Support Services Corporate Wellness Nursing Personal Support Services