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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 3, 2014 | 22 VOLUNTEERS GROWCOMMUNITY National Volunteer Week April 6-12, 2014 Volunteering is the way of the past and the way forward Continued from page 21 that "Canadians have a long history of coming together and helping one another. Service to country shaped us, service to family and community sustains us, and this tradition of service will carry us forward into the future ". As we look to the history of this great land, we can trace the roots of volunteerism to our ancestors who first landed in Canada and the Aboriginal peoples. When our ancestors arrived in this beautiful, but harsh new land, the Aboriginal peoples showed them how to survive, by teaching them to forage for food in the forests, to tap trees for maple syrup, how to build shelter, use herbs to fight disease and introduced new foods such as corn, squash and beans to sustain RUN ENTIRELY BY VOLUNTEERS,WE HAVE BEEN HELPING OAKVILLE'S NEEDY FAMILIES FOR 25YEARS. 1240 Speers Rd., Unit #6, Oakville, L6L 2X4 (905) 847-3988 www.oakvillefoodbank.com Registered Charity Number: 13173 6662 RR001 We are grateful to the Oakville Community for their endless support. We would not be able to assist those less fortunate without the hard work and dedication of the community. TO OUR CURRENTVOLUNTEERS, WE SAY A SINCERETHANK-YOU! them over the long harsh winters. As the settlers struggled to adapt to this new land they became dependent on each other to help clear and work the land, barn raising, build homes, harvest crops and make clothing. They willingly pulled together to help one another in times of need. The spirit and culture of caring for one another was needed to combat harsh winters as well as prevent social isolation. Over the past 145 years, countless organizations have formed to address areas of injustice and the social need. Organizations emerged in direct response to a community need. They all involved volunteers as founders, supporters and front line workers. A few examples of organizations formed to provide much needed service and to address a social need are; The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in 1851, The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) was introduced to Canada in 1870, and the Canadian Institute for the Blind(CNIB) was born in 1918 . In the 1950's, the Marching Mothers, who were desperate to find a cure for polio, went door-to-door in their neighbourhoods, collecting dimes to fund research. The Marching Mothers were instrumental in supporting the research of Dr. Jonas Salk, whose polio vaccine was released in 1955, putting an end to the epidemic. The Marching Mothers movement today is known as the March of Dimes. These and many other organizations were a significant force in the lives of Canadians and exemplify the spirit of volunteerism. In Halton, more than two thirds (67 per cent) of the population aged 15 and over volunteered their time through an agency, a group or an organization. Halton's volunteering rate is higher than both the provincial (43.3 per cent) and national (46 per cent averages. We can safely say that Halton volunteers shape the Region of Halton and will be the foundation on which our future is built. On Monday, April 7, 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. We want to acknowledge the work of our volunteers, to make good the work that is often done in private and say, "Thank you for doing what you do". Above all, we want to say "Keep up the good work and hopefully others will follow your example". Article submitted by Ann Coburn, Director, Volunteer Halton We couldn't do it without you! TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SERVICE Thanks Thank you to our 435 dedicated youth and adult volunteers who contributed 12,893 hours of their time in 2013. Because of you, we were able to make an incredible difference in the lives of thousands of Oakville families! Get involved today! ymcaofoakville.org | 905-845-3417 905.337.8937 · www.seneca.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. You help with a range of activities including our Family Service Programs and Food Bank, Christmas Programming, our annual Food Drive and The Lighthouse Shelter. Our Sunday Worship Service is at 10:30am All are welcome; Please join us! "Volunteers Give The Best Gift Of All... Themselves!" Thank you so much for all you do. You are an integral part of our healthcare team! Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital is very fortunate that so many volunteers have chosen us to share their gift of time and talent to help improve our patient experience. Halton Healthcare Services would like to extend a BIG THANK YOU to all its volunteers for all their hard work and dedication in service and fundraising for the hospital. Our volunteers make a difference to our patients, visitors, staff & physicians as well as each other every day. 1225 Rebecca Street, Oakville Thank you and God bless. Tel: (905) 827-5324 www.salvationarmyoakville.ca PLEASE CALL TO REGISTER FOR UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPOURTUNITIES WITH OUR ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE National Volunteer Appreciation Week April 6-12, 2014 (905) 827-5324 EXT. 22 Become a Volunteer! Visit www.haltonhealthcare.com