International Volunteer Day

Since 1985, the United Nations have celebrated ‘International Volunteer Day’ on December 5 to appreciate and highlight the integral efforts of volunteers around the world. This year ‘International Volunteer Day’ (IVD) 2018 focuses on how “Volunteers Build Resilient Communities” and recognizes volunteers worldwide who contribute to making their communities more resilient.

“In Canada” says Christine Oldfield, executive director, “there are more than 12.7 million volunteers who are the foundation of our social fabric; volunteers that are builders, connectors, mobilizers and supporters.” According to Volunteer Canada “more than half of Canada’s 161,000 non-profit and charitable organizations have no paid staff and rely solely on volunteers”.

Volunteers build resilient communities, improve quality of life, are catalysts for change, drivers of initiatives and more. With 44% of Canadians volunteering 2 billion hours per year, the volume of volunteer efforts is equivalent to approximately 1 million full time jobs.

In Guelph Wellington, the efforts of volunteers are mentoring children and youth who will be our future leaders, coaching and developing teams to work alongside each other, building homes and hearts, leading efforts to address and support mental health, fundraising significant dollars to support the work of non-profits and charities and much more. “The efforts of volunteers are impactful” shares Christine “and we encourage members of our community to consider that impact in their city, towns, village and  neighbourhoods and in their life with family and friends. Take a moment to extend appreciation and to say thank you; volunteers are making a difference.”

Learn more about International Volunteer Day, the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report and how you can make a difference through volunteering on our Volunteer Opportunity database.