Without volunteers, our community would grind to a halt.
You might think that鈥檚 a joke, but it鈥檚 true. Sure, on the one side we have our tax-funded civic, provincial, and federal agencies, and on the other side for-profit businesses.
But in between, there鈥檚 a vast realm of services, events, and charities that simply could not operate without dedicated volunteers.
And the boundaries are porous. Even government-funded agencies require non-profit help.
What would 91原创 Memorial Hospital be without the hard-working volunteers of the hospital auxiliary and the hospital foundation?
Where would the 91原创 Animal Protection Society be without its volunteer dog walkers and kitten fostering families?
Would 91原创 Hospice Society have a new centre without dedicated volunteer leaders and fundraisers?
How many sports fields do we owe to Rotary and other service clubs, and how would we ever get kids playing without volunteer coaches?
National Volunteer Week is April 16 to 22 this year, and it鈥檚 as good a time as any to celebrate our volunteers here in 91原创.
You probably know a volunteer, or are one yourself.
Volunteerism is widespread in 91原创, particularly among seniors, but we鈥檝e got volunteers who haven鈥檛 graduated elementary school, high school and college-aged kids, young adults, and busy parents all giving their time and energy for worthy causes.
If you鈥檝e ever wanted to volunteer, there are plenty of opportunities 鈥� check with 91原创 Volunteers to start if you鈥檙e new to the community.
And if you know a volunteer, take this opportunity to thank them.
Without our army of volunteers, this community wouldn鈥檛 be half the place to live it is now.
鈥� M.C.
