29 November 2006

Ontario, Canada: International Volunteer Day, December 5, 2006, celebrates the dedicated volunteers who work to make life better for others. And, according to the latest study on volunteering, Canada has a lot to celebrate! An astonishing 12 million Canadians volunteer their time in some capacity, contributing a staggering two billion volunteer hours each year.

Volunteerism touches almost every aspect of Canadian life-from art and culture, sport and recreation, education and research, health and social services, to the environment and religion. This year, as part of its promotion of International Volunteer Day, Volunteer Canada is focusing primarily on the contributions volunteers make to the health and safety of Canadians, to engagement and citizenship, and to the accountability of organizations in every sector through volunteer boards of directors.

"Canadian volunteers contribute in so many ways," says Marlene Deboisbriand, President of Volunteer Canada. "For example, all of the
161,000 non-profit and charitable organizations in Canada have boards of directors comprised exclusively of volunteers! Volunteers are such an integral part of life as we know it, that they are sometimes taken for granted. International Volunteer Day helps to ensure that the contributions of literally millions of dedicated individuals in this country do not go unnoticed."

Volunteer Canada promotes International Volunteer Day through an interactive website (volunteer.ca/dec5) that educates about volunteerism in
Canada and provides tools for organizations to plan and carry out their own promotional activities. In addition, a targeted media-based campaign will be carried out.

"Volunteering is truly the lifeblood of our communities," says Deboisbriand. "It brings people together-in hospitals, schools, playing
fields, board rooms-for all the right reasons. It lets us give of ourselves, share our wealth and express our human values of community and caring. In short, volunteering helps us build better, stronger, healthier Canadian communities."

Volunteer Canada is a registered charitable organization and a national leader with a mission to promote volunteerism in Canada.