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21 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Saturday, April 18, 2009 National Volunteer Week April 19 - 25, 2009 VOLUNTEERS GROW COMMUNITY Change the World The ChangeTheWorld Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge encourages young people to sign up for five hours of volunteer time during National Volunteer Week, April 19-25. The initiative was organized by Volunteer Halton, a member of the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network and one of the 20 volunteer centres across the province involved in the Challenge. Young people will participate in Community Cleanups, Community BBQ's and Compost events, aquatics program, canvassing opportunities and Youth Leadership activitities. The Ontario Volunteer Centre Network is partnering with the Ontario government to create local volunteer opportunities for youth and ensure the success of the challenge. Twenty communities across Ontario are participat- How to get started... Would you like to provide a needed service, solve a problem, advance a worthy cause or look for personal development? Perhaps you would like to make contacts, learn skills, gain work experience, build selfesteem, or find a paying job? If so, this is how to start on your path: Ask yourself "What do I want or expect from a volunteering experience?" and "How much am I willing to give of myself?" Talk to family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances about their experiences and suggestions. Contact Volunteer Halton. We provide a "catalogue" of volunteer positions. Our Centre offers telephone referrals, in-house appointments, or an online searchable database to receive information about current volunteering opportunities in the community. Steps to volunteering 1. Call your local volunteer centre. 2. Visit our web site at www.volunterhalton.ca and search our data base to see what is available in the community. 3. Once a position is chosen, call the agency and set up an appt. 4. Be prepared for interview and sample questions. 5. Find out what you can about the position and ask to see a position description if available. 6. Let the coordinator know why you want to volunteer. 7. Fill out their registration form, provide two references and be willing to undergo a Police Check 8. Participate in relevant orientation and training. 9. Participate evaluation. ing, up from seven last year. The goal is to have 10,000 students volunteer across the province during the week. Local volunteer opportunities are being created so that 14-18 year olds can volunteer five hours during National Volunteer Week and use those hours as part of their high school graduation requirement. Volunteers help to make great communities and encouraging young people to volunteer helps to ensure that we're encouraging a future generation of volunteers. For more information contact Volunteer Halton at 905-6321975. Cheers to Volunteers! National Volunteer Week April 19 ­ 25 In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Volunteer Halton and Halton Region would like to thank all of the community volunteers who help make Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. Volunteers are the heart of our community. We would also like to congratulate recipients of the 2009 "Cheers to Volunteers" award. Recipients were nominated by their organization for their outstanding contributions and dedication to volunteerism. This year's recipients are: Frank Anthony, Links 2 Care, Georgetown Diane Biggar, Milton Salvation Army KHI Community, Milton Kim Campagnaro, Habitat for Humanity, Burlington The Dywer Family, Food for Life, Oakville Anna Ewen, Halton Healthcare Services, Georgetown Jochen `Joe' Hofmann, Halton Healthcare Services, Oakville Kristine Petrovic, Big Brothers Big Sister of Halton, Oakville John Raynor, Kerr Street Ministries, Oakville Elayne Tanner, United Way of Milton, Milton Ted Taylor, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Burlington Rita Ward, Halton Healthcare Services, Milton Cheers to Volunteers is an initiative of Volunteer Halton in partnership with Halton Region www.halton.ca www.volunteerhalton.ca Volunteer and... Feel the Magic Something magical happens when you get involved in your community through volunteering. Volunteering transforms people and turns good communities into great ones. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, build your resume, gain work experience or stay active after retirement. There's something for everyone! Halton Region and partners in the Volunteer... and Feel the Magic campaign encourage you to make a difference in Halton by contacting a local community organization about opportunities to get involved. For volunteer opportunities in your community Contact Volunteer Halton at: 905-632-1975 / 905-878-0955 www.volunteerhalton.ca OR Dial 211 www.211halton.ca For more information on the Volunteer...and Feel the Magic campaign, visit www.halton.ca/feelthemagic SCS-09020 The Volunteer... and Feel the Magic campaign is an initiative of Halton Region in partnership with Volunteer Halton, the Halton Association of Volunteer Administrators and the United Ways of Burlington & Greater Hamilton, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.