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OAKVILLE BEAVER Saturday, April 18, 2009 · 20 National Volunteer Week April 19 - 25, 2009 VOLUNTEERS GROW COMMUNITY Celebrating 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. Volunteers Hands that Serve, Hearts that Care How to become a Volunteer? Contact Volunteer Halton 905-878-0955 www.volunteerhalton.ca Celebrating 60 years of volunteering at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital! The volunteers at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital have generously contributed their time, talents and skills to enhance our patients' and their families' hospital experience over the past 60 years. Even before the hospital was built, a dedicated group of volunteers formed an Auxiliary to support it through daily service and fundraising. This group has grown to almost 700 dedicated men, women and youth. During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 19 - 25, we would like to thank all our amazing volunteers for their invaluable contributions over the past 60 years. Interesting Volunteer Facts · Canada's nonprofit and voluntary sector is the second largest in the world · There are an estimated 161,000 nonprofits in Canada; Half of these (54 per cent)are run entirely by volunteers · Canada has the 2nd largest voluntary sector in the world - 6.5 million volunteer, 161,000 charitable, non profit and voluntary organizations · Volunteers give 2 billion hours or 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 · 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 Volunteers, thanks for being part of something BIG! You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give. More than 700 children in our community benefitted from your support. To get involved contact: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton 464 Morden Road, Oakville (905) 339.2355 www.bbbshalton.ca The Salvation Army Oakville Community Church and Community Services would like to Thank the many volunteers who continue to support us in being an active Ministry in our community. We are indebted to the volunteers for their contribution to the services we provide. It would be impossible for us to achieve this success without your help. The Community of Oakville plays a significant role and it is overwhelming. You help with our Family Service Programs and Food Bank, "Christmas activities", our annual Food Drive and our Lighthouse shelter to name a few. We continue to need your support and welcome you to contact us if you would like to volunteer again. Our Sunday Worship Service is at 10:30 a.m. You will receive a very warm welcome. 1225 Rebecca Street, Oakville Thank you and God bless. Tel: (905) 827-5324 www.salvationarmyoakville.ca A Heartfelt Thank-You to the Volunteers at the OPCC You are truly appreciated for the work that you do ­ helping out, giving back and having fun! Our Volunteers contribute their time and talents to the Centre and provide a positive impact on our families. Volunteers have contributed over 2,000 hours to us this year. Whether is it working on our Board of Directors, assisting in our office, promoting the Centre at Community Events, Fundraising, Daisy Duds, Cozy Reading or being available to lend a helping hand, a special thanks goes out to you! If you would like more information about how you can share your skills and talents at the OPCC, please call us at 905 849-6366. 905 849-6366 www.op-cc.ca or visit our website at