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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 10, 2015 | 22 Recognize an outstanding volunteer in your community (NC) Whether it's a neighbour who volunteers at the local soup kitchen or the person you always see helping out at the hockey arena, we all know someone lled with genuine goodness who makes a difference in our community. A recent study commissioned by Post Foods Canada Inc shows that currently 90 per cent of Canadians think it's important to give back, and over half volunteer their time, with almost 60 per cent doing this at least once a week or more. "Volunteers are vital to the social fabric of communities across this country and their tireless efforts have a signi cant positive impact on facilities, services, organizations and, most importantly, people," says Amy Bernstein, the Senior Product Manager of Shreddies & Shredded Wheat, at Post Foods Canada Inc. "It's wonderful to see data that con rms just how lled with genuine goodness our fellow Canadians are. Almost half of those surveyed have been giving their time for at least ve years." The survey also sheds light on what motivates people to make their communities better places in which to live. Impressively, the data reveals that we feel it's important to volunteer because helping others is the right thing to do (68 per cent) and it makes us feel good about ourselves (45 per cent). Goodness is exempli ed in our nation's attitude of sel essness. "There are so many ways you can contribute to your community," says Greg Epp from Saskatoon, who was recognized by Post Shreddies "Search for Goodness" in 2013 for his sel ess commitment to his community hockey rink. "Every community, no matter how big or small, needs the support of people who care. I do it because it helps me feel connected to my community." Like Greg, many spoke about community when they were asked about volunteering, and stated that they volunteer due to a strong sense of community (53 per cent), a belief in the organizations' goals and objectives (58 per cent), and that helping those in need is the right thing to do (49 per cent). Volunteerism is an important aspect in building a strong community and society, and Canadians are in agreement with this (91 per cent). But it's not just the community that bene ts. When we do good, we feel good, and this holds true with almost everyone. Almost 80 per cent believe genuine goodness is strongly associated with those who volunteer, and over 90 per cent feel a sense of pride and goodness after they have donated their time for a cause. Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for their community? If you do, this is your opportunity to recognize the good they do by nominating them in this year's Post Shreddies "Search for Goodness," a national search for people who spread genuine goodness. More information is available online at searchforgoodness.ca. The winning story will be told in a Shreddies' ad, and a donation will be made to the winner's charity of choice. Volunteer Week N AT I O N A L Advertorial April 12-18, 2015 Celebrating Volunteers Canadian Cancer Society volunteers make the cancer journey a little brighter. Thank you! VOLUNTEERS at the centre of it all Halton Community Office 760 Pacific Rd Unit 7 Oakville, L6L 6M5 (905) 845-5231 cancer.ca/volunteer cancer.ca/volunteer Thank you volunteers! From our heart to yours, thank you for sharing your gift of time, talent and compassion. ymcaofoakville.org to all our Volunteers for making our Community a better place to live! Thank You 905.847.8433 WHAT ARE YOU WHAT ARE YOU CROWDFUNDING FOR? Create your fundraising campaign or help fund local initiatives at fuellocal.com CROWDFUNDING FOR? fuellocal.com is an online platform to raise money through crowdfunding: an opportunity for a collection of individuals tois make donations into support of a cause. fuellocal.com an online platform raise money Create your fundraising campaign help fundof local through crowdfunding: an opportunity foror a collection initiatives at fuellocal.com individuals to make donations in support of a cause. www.hisc3014.digbro.com Call for a free no-obligation appointment Start your campaign now! Start your campaign now! .com .com