This is a guest post provided by Julia DePaz, our amazing Volunteer Coordinator!
It’s International Volunteer Day! And today, together with organizations around the world are celebrating the incredible role that volunteers play in improving communities.
International Volunteer Day is a day to celebrate YOU! It’s a chance to celebrate everyone who cares enough to donate their own valuable time to help, to improve, to create, to change their community.
Millions of volunteers are leading social change around the world. This special day promotes the work of volunteers at all levels not only locally, but nationally and even globally. Volunteering is found in several cultures, languages, and religions.
Volunteering allows us to learn new skills and meet new people. It also allows us to feel connected to a community. This has always been important to me. When I came to Canada, I didn’t know anything about volunteering. But, I quickly embraced it as an opportunity to learn English, make new friends, and do something for others. It was a wonderful way to feel welcomed into the generous heart of being Canadian. Since then, I have been volunteering in various capacities at not-for-profit organizations. As a leader of volunteers, I feel, being a volunteer myself, provides me with a more open perspective and allows me to grow not only as a person but as a leader.
The United Nations reports that each year, 970 millions of people around the world volunteer their time and skills to help make the world a better place. Isn’t that extraordinary? YOU are one of them. Last year because of your help, TMFB delivered 2.9 million healthy meals to our hungry neighbours in Mississauga.
This is the day to celebrate your volunteer participation, people around the world celebrate this day with rallies, parades, volunteer fairs, group cleanups, blood donations, conferences, exhibitions, fundraising, food drives, workshops and volunteer recognition events. How are you celebrating?
Please take time to give yourself a pat on the back! The Mississauga Food Bank is so fortunate to count on you as a volunteer. Happy International Volunteer Day!
