Volunteers See a World of Possibilities
During National Volunteer Week, April 12-18, we celebrate the contributions of volunteers who help to build our communities through their vision of a better world. Each year, almost 13 million Canadians contribute close to 2 billion hours of volunteer time (Statistics Canada, 2013). They do it because volunteers see a world of possibilities.
- In a world where the problems of society can seem overwhelming and insurmountable, it can be easy to feel powerless. Volunteering reminds us that one person can make a difference. Changing a life by caring enough to mentor a teen, serve a hot meal to a homeless person or spend a few hours with a lonely senior makes the world a better place, not just for them, but for everyone. Volunteers see a world of possibilities.
- In a world where education is a life-long journey, many volunteer opportunities provide not just the opportunity to teach, but also to learn. Tutors, camp counsellors and coaches all pass along skills and knowledge and quite often learn something in the process! Sharing knowledge and skills with others who are eager to learn can re-ignite a passion and be a reminder that everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn. Volunteers see a world of possibilities.
- In a world where many assumptions are made based on age, volunteering can be the place that it’s possible to be ageless. Seniors can play with children in classrooms, teens can read to seniors in retirement homes, families can clean up the park together, a festival can bring generations together to share music and people of all ages can help to raise funds to support charities. Volunteers see a world of possibilities.
- In a world where it can be easy to feel like a number from time to time, volunteering is a place where everyone can shine in their own special way. Thomas Edison said “If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” Volunteering provides the opportunity to discover and to share that which is unique and special about us – the opportunity to astound ourselves. Volunteers see a world of possibilities.
