"Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer."
- author unknown
This week is National Volunteer Week in Canada.
It marks the 70th year of the establishment of National Volunteer Week, when the efforts of the 13.3 million volunteers who make this country a better place are recognized nationally.
According to Volunteer Canada statistics, those 13.3 million Canadians who so selflessly give up their free time - for free, of course - have contributed more than 2.1 billion hours towards helping charitable and not-for-profit organizations and events.
Volunteers are the backbone of these
groups, since more than 50 per cent of them have no paid staff.
And the volunteer movement is gaining momentum. A recent Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating confirms an increase of nearly one million volunteers nationally since 2007, and younger Canadians are delivering the highest volunteer rate. The survey also shows that those in the 15-to-24 age group have consistently participated in volunteering, more than any other age group for more than a decade.
These are uplifting numbers, especially if you consider how, for many in this challenging economy, time truly is money.
But these millions upon millions of volunteers prove that money isn't everything.
There are plenty of ways in which you can make a difference in the community.
Why not consider lending your time to a cause you support - whether it's the food bank, animal shelters, seniors' centres, health organizations, the hospital, community policing, service clubs, municipal committees - we could go on and on. Or lend a hand at your favourite community event or festival.
With all the opportunities to choose from, you have many ways to join the volunteer movement, and to make a difference.
