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Inspiring Stories And Articles About
Volunteers In BC
Check this space for stories and articles that profile and relate
to volunteers, their experiences, and achievements.
March 5, 2001
A day without Volunteers...
March 5, 2001 British Columbia…. streets are in chaos, hospitals
are overcrowded with hundreds of patients left unattended, libraries
are closed, hikers are missing in the snow covered mountains and
local police are working overtime and there's no one to drive the
kids to school. The Province of British Columbia is at a standstill.
This was the grim reality of the day. It was a day without volunteers.
Imagine a day, where essential services were temporarily suspended
and simple random acts of kindness go by the wayside. All because
there were no volunteers.
Many community services are heavily reliant on volunteers
in BC. Over one million British Columbians (about 32 % of the
population), 15 years of age and older, volunteer their time and
skills. Volunteers in BC annually donate more than 169 million
hours of their time, the equivalent of $2.7 billion.
BC's volunteer community is diverse, ranging from structured volunteer
time at organized charities to soccer coaches to groups working
to protect the environment. Acts of individual neighbourly support
to communities coping with crisis.
More than the activities the thousands of volunteers engage in,
they bring something that is more precious in addition to their
time, energy, dedication and enthusiasm. Volunteers are the heart
and soul of the community. Volunteering is about commitment and
caring. It's about helping others; it's about working together with
others who share a common goal. It's about the difference that individuals
can make in the life of the community as well as their own.
"International Year of Volunteers 2001 was a wonderful opportunity
to not only celebrate volunteers in BC, but also a time that promoted
the value of volunteer contributions to individuals, communities
and to society as a whole," said Carol Biely, Past President
of Volunteer BC.
Just look at the person next to you and chances are at some point
in their life the person has given their time in a volunteer activity.
Generosity is fundamental to the concept of volunteering; generosity
of material resources, of time, knowledge, thought and physical
support. In today's world we all commonly face the same issues.
The increased pace of life, the significant challenges and competition
individuals face in their careers, in caring for family and others,
thus making time to volunteer being increasingly difficult. And
yet, volunteering is the ultimate exercise in optimism - a fundamental
commitment to our future; an active form of good citizenship.
A day without volunteers would be very dark day indeed. Thank goodness,
we will always have our province's greatest asset: volunteers. As
thousands of us wake up each morning and go about with our day at
work, at school, or at play, we know in some way our activities
are touched by a volunteer.
February 2001
Every year, a select group of Canadians are honoured for the volunteer
efforts by being named to the Order of Canada. On February 14, 2001
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor
General of Canada, announced 98 new appointments. This list includes
Geraldine Braak of Powell River, BC, appointed as an Officer of
the Order of Canada for Voluntary Service.
Geraldine Braak, O.C., O.B.C. (Voluntary Service)
Powell River, BC
She champions improved quality of life for blind, visually impaired
and other disabled persons. Her advocacy spans local, provincial,
national and international issues. Legally blind herself, she ascended
to the top level of the Canadian Council of the Blind, serving for
eight years as National President. Currently, she represents Canada
at the World Blind Union. At home, her determination and energy
have been manifested in countless improvements to her community.
Though her work continues to take her around the world, she remains
President of the local peer support group which she founded.
Related Link
More information about the Order
of Canada.
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