“Just like roots are essential for trees to bloom, volunteers are essential for communities to bloom. Thanks to volunteers, our communities grow strong and resilient. Even the tiniest volunteer effort leaves a profound and lasting trace in a community, much like tree rings that appear over time.”
Volunteer Canada
This year during National Volunteer Week, April 10th - 16th, 2016, we recognize and celebrate the contributions of more than 12 million Canadians whose efforts have an important and lasting effect on our communities. Many Children’s Aid Societies benefit from the assistance of volunteers, individuals who have historically played an essential role in child welfare across the province.
As a volunteer with a Children’s Aid Society you may be involved with driving children to school or to appointments, offering guidance as a mentor to a child or youth, providing your expertise as a member of the Board of Directors or agency committee, or assisting with the planning or execution of a fundraising event. No matter the role, each volunteer is important and their contributions are vital to helping Societies be successful in the work they do.
Last fiscal year, approximately 75 individuals volunteered in a variety of capacities for the Kawartha-Haliburton CAS. This included volunteer drivers who logged over 593,000 kms assisting children, youth and families. Jennifer Wilson, Executive Director of the KHCAS commented, “Our communities would not be the same without the generosity and dedication of those who volunteer. At the Kawartha-Haliburton CAS we rely on the energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers each and every day to help make life a little easier for the children, youth and families we serve. We greatly appreciate the important role they play in the work that we do.”
At Highland Shores Children’s Aid, which serves communities within Hastings, Northumberland and Prince Edward counties, 59 individuals donated their time as either board members or volunteer drivers in fiscal 2015-16. Those volunteer drivers logged approximately 725,000 kms serving children, youth and families. “Historically, volunteers have played a vital role for Children’s Aid Societies across the province. It is most appropriate to honour their contributions with this special week each year and I thank our HSCA volunteers who make a difference each and every day”, said Mark Kartusch, Executive Director of Highland Shores Children’s Aid.