Passion, Action, Impact!
To all volunteers across Canada,
Thank you.
Volunteering is part of our identity as Canadians – we value civic participation and embrace a spirit of community. The tremendous efforts of our 12.5 million volunteers help make Canada a vibrant, safe place to call home. Across the country, Canadians are getting involved and leading positive change in a variety of ways, all of them vital – from quick bursts of mobile micro-volunteering on smartphones to front-line disaster relief efforts overseas. The work of volunteers is essential to maintaining healthy, vibrant communities at home and around the world. National Volunteer Week is all about taking time to recognize the incredible contributions of Canada’s volunteers and letting them know how much their efforts are appreciated.
NVW pays tribute to the millions of Canadian volunteers who graciously donate their time and energy. This is the 70th year since the establishment of NVW. This year it takes place the week of April 15 to 21, 2012.
NVW was first proclaimed in 1943 to draw public attention to the vital contribution women made to the war effort on the home front. While NVW was largely forgotten after the war ended, it experienced a revival in the late 1960s, when organizations stressed the importance of thanking community volunteers across Canada. NVW was reinstated and has since grown to become the largest celebration of civic participation in Canada.
Volunteers: Passion. Action. Impact, is the theme of this year’s NVW campaign. The theme recognizes the individual volunteers across Canada who dedicate themselves to improving their communities. Volunteers have a passion for getting involved, they take action to support the causes and organizations that are important to them, and they make an impact in communities across Canada and around the globe.
By: Volunteer Canada
Perks and Benefits of Volunteering
We are all aware of the intrinsic benefits that we glean from volunteering, but did you know that there are some tangible perks that you are eligible for as well? I’ve recently had the pleasure of giving away Tim Cards, Zedex passes, and tickets for 2 to the Evergreen Theatre in Margaretsville.
In addition to these free gifts, GMFRC volunteers, even those who are not a part of a military family, are eligible to benefit from the CF Appreciation program. The website address is www.cfappreciation.ca. In order to participate you must fill in a registration form which is available on the above-mentioned website. When fillng out the form, non-military volunteers would fall under section 4e of the registration form. You’d sign up as NPF, leave the number blank and under Enrolment put MFRC Volunteer. Please check out the website and see all the ways you can save!
Another perk that I’d like to point out for active volunteers is the ability to sign up for GMFRC courses and workshops at no charge to you. After you’ve perused this newsletter or the latest edition of the Aurora Newspaper and you noticed a great class that you’d like to take, simply call or email me to express your interest, and, pending availability of the space, I’ll take care of the rest.
Finally, please remember that we take care of your childcare while you are volunteering!
THE GOAL
The goal of the GMFRC Volunteer Program is to match the requests for GMFRC programs with individuals who have existing skills or those who are willing to develop new skills. The volunteer program offers placements designed for an individual’s interests and talents. There are opportunities for on-the-job training, developing new or existing skills, gaining experience to enhance resumes, professional development, and a variety of workshops are available. In return, you provide us with assistance in delivering programs to your community.
The Greenwood Military Family Resource Centre would like to extend a warm thank you to all of our volunteers who are the foundation of our programs and services. We are thrilled to have a thriving volunteer program of active volunteers!
These volunteers are facilitators for different programs (Defensive Driving, First Aid, Home Alone, etc), they provide assistance at Special Events, do maintenance, and raise awareness about military families and deployment. They also make cards, send care packages, prepare welcome packages, do crafts, and provide childcare. They plan activities, work on the databases, do crafts, play games, and organize the Cookie Grams Campaign, to name but a few.
We are proud to have you as a part of our team and thankful for your contributions, which support and celebrate our unique military family lifestyle. In 2010 you have contributed well over 2100 hours of service! Thank you so much for all that you do, for sharing your talents, your passion, your ideas, and your vision. Thank you for sharing yourself.