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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 18, 2013 | 18 VOLUNTEERS Volunteers the heart and soul of community need of food, clothing, shelter or a listening ear, or a helping hand would cease to exist without volunteers. So many people rely on the day to day kindness of volunteers and count on them to be there in times of need. Volunteering continues to be the foundation of our Canadian culture. Historically, it has been called helping your neighbour or being a good neighbour. Margaret Mead stated: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has." Concerned Citizens see a need in their community and organize small group of like-minded individuals to address the need. An excellent example of this is the Marching Mothers of the 1950s. In our neighbouring community of Hamilton, concerned mothers went door-to-door asking for a dime to raise money to help find a cure for polio. Today that organization is known as the March of Dimes. Closer to home we have groups that have grown out of a need in community such as the Halton Multi Cultural Council and Food For Thought to name a couple. Citizens of Halton care about their community and Community Development Halton has the evidence to that effect. In Halton Region, more than half of the population aged 15 and over volunteer their time through an agency, a group or an organization. As in 2007, Halton's volunteering rate was higher than both the provincial and national averages. Today approximately 300,000 Halton citizens volunteer. Volunteering, civic engagement or citizen engagement is more than numbers and statistics; it is the caring and compassion of dedicated individuals volunteering for a cause that is close to their hearts. On Monday, April 22, those efforts are being acknowledged and appreciated at a community Volunteer Award Breakfast hosted by Volunteer Halton and generously supported by the Regional Municipality of Halton. Community Development Halton wants to acknowledge the work of all Halton volunteers, to acknowledge that work that is quietly taking place in many communities throughout Halton and say, "Thank you for doing what you do". Above all, we want to say, "Keep up the good work as you are an inspiration to others." Article submitted by Ann Coburn, Director, Volunteer Halton acoburn@cdhalton.ca www.volunteerhalton.ca GROWCOMMUNITY National Volunteer Week April 21-27, 2013 For more than seventy years National Volunteer Week, which takes place from Sunday, April 21 to Saturday, April 27, has served as a reminder to stop, acknowledge and appreciate the unsung heroes of our community - volunteers. Volunteer Halton continues the tradition of celebrating volunteerism and honouring all the citizens of Halton who give generously to their community. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Halton. Volunteers listen with their hearts and respond with their hands and their unique talents. Throughout our lives we have all been touched in many ways by the generosity of someone who cares enough to give of themselves without any thought of return. In a thousand different ways they lighten the load for those less fortunate. What would Halton would be like without volunteers? Organizations serving individuals in National Volunteer Week takes place from Sunday, April 21 to Saturday, April 27 across Canada, and it's a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible efforts of the millions of volunteers who every day make an impact on the lives of Canadians, and others globally. The theme of this year's National Volunteer Week, "volunteers cast a beautiful shadow", is a perfect way to describe the 13.3 million volunteers who National Volunteer Week: A time to celebrate volunteers gave selflessly of their time in 2012. As volunteers, they stand in the shadows, using their time and talents to help others and ask nothing in return. Volunteering is part of who we are as Canadians, and makes our country strong and vibrant. More than 23,800 Canadians from communities across the country currently donate their time to the YMCA. These dedicated volunteers help build healthier communities by assisting with programs for all ages, nurturing and mentoring children and youth, making community events like YMCA Healthy Kids Day and YMCA Peace Week successful, supporting fundraising efforts and serving on association boards. Locally, the YMCA of Oakville is proud to recognize 490 dedicated youth and adult volunteers who contributed 14,390 hours of their time to help others in our community in 2012. With their support, we were able to reach out and help Potential. Our volunteers help it bloom in kids every day. Thank you! more people in Oakville gain new skills, become healthier, make positive choices and much more. From April 21 to 27, take the time to thank the volunteers who make a difference in your life and the life of others around you. To find out more about making a difference with volunteer opportunities at the YMCA of Oakville, visit ymcaofoakville.com. For more information on National Volunteer Week, visit volunteer.ca. Thank You Volunteers! Your dedication makes a positive difference in the lives of thousands of individuals in need every year. Interested in volunteering? Contact us today @ 905-827-8800 x2317 volunteering@acclaimhealth.ca Charitable Registration #: 11928 4602 RR0001 Find out how to volunteer | www.erinoakkids.ca [ w w w. a c c l a i m h e a l t h . c a ] Volunteers are the Lifeline of our Service. A very special THANK YOU to all Distress Centre Oakville Volunteers for their dedication and commitment in making a difference in our community. Distress Line: 905-849-4541 www.distresscentreoakville.com Fareshare Food Bank 1240 Speers Rd., Unit #6 Oakville, L6L 2X4 (905) 847-3988 We have provided a helping hand to the needy families of Oakville since 1988. During all that time we have been run entirely by many hardworking and dedicated volunteers. To our current Volunteers, we say a sincere Thank-you