Kingston, ON (April 8, 2016) Local agencies will get a chance to invite their volunteers to a reception to celebrate National Volunteer Week. The Volunteer Week Celebration is on Monday, April 11, at 4:30pm in Memorial Hall, City Hall, 216 Ontario Street, Kingston.
Not for profit organizations are invited to bring their volunteers to this reception to celebrate volunteerism in our community. Light refreshments will be available. There is no charge for this event. Please register online in advance
At this event, a few volunteers will get the chance to take a well-deserved bow when the United Way Volunteer Centre hands out six ‘Volunteers Grow Community’ awards. These include a volunteer group award, a volunteer award for individuals, youth and family volunteering awards. The awards are sponsored by Investors Group.
This year the following individuals and organizations will be recognized at the volunteer celebration: Ongwanada Crescent Group, Vicky Stacknick, John Poland, Jim Docherty, Jennifer Evans, Binnie Galloway and Sister Gail Leeder, Please see volunteer biographies below.
“We are extremely pleased to recognize the contributions of volunteers each year with these awards, and to have the opportunity to inspire others to make a positive difference in our community,” says Jacquie Costron with Investors Group, sponsor of the awards.
The celebration will help mark National Volunteer Week which takes place from April 10 to April 16 this year. During this week-long celebration of volunteerism, registered charities, not-for-profit organizations and volunteer centres pause to thank and recognize their volunteers.
For information about volunteering in KFLA, please visit the United Way website.
About United Way Volunteer Centre
The United Way Volunteer Centre offers volunteer coordination services throughout Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. The Centre promotes volunteer opportunities to individuals with time, talent and skills to share. There are currently 172 volunteer opportunities available throughout KFLA and more than 100 not-for-profit organizations have posted volunteer positions on United Way’s Volunteer Centre website. For more information, visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Bhavana Varma, United Way KFLA, 613-542-2674 ext 1101 bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca
FAQ’s
What is the Volunteer Centre?
The local Volunteer Centre is coordinated by the United Way KFLA and promotes volunteer opportunities at local not-for-profit organizations throughout our region. These are available to volunteers who are looking to share their time or talents. Visit the Volunteer Centre for more information.
How many people volunteer?
44% of Canadians volunteer. 13 million Canadians contribute 1.96 million hours a year, the equivalent of 1 million full-time jobs.
Are volunteer opportunities available for young people?
Youth volunteer more than any other age group. 66% of youth volunteered, higher than the overall volunteer rate of 44%.
The United Way Volunteer Centre promotes opportunities for all ages through its website.
Are there volunteer opportunities available?
Over 100 agencies currently use the United Way Volunteer Centre website to promote volunteer positions. About 350 positions are available annually.
What is National Volunteer Week?
NVW is a week-long celebration of volunteerism where communities pause to recognize and thank their volunteers.
What is Change the World?
ChangeTheWorld: Ontario Youth Challenge is a six week challenge encouraging volunteerism for youth. In 2016 the goal is to have 3,000 students volunteer for 15,000 hours between April 10 and May 23. Click here for more details and a list of participating schools.
What are the “Volunteers Grow Community” Awards?
The volunteer awards celebrate recognize outstanding individuals in the KFLA community. Sponsored by Investors Group, the pewter awards are given out annually during National Volunteer Week.
How are the VGC award winners selected?
Individuals or organizations are invited to nominate volunteers from local not-for-profit organizations. Candidates are selected for their outstanding volunteer efforts in coordinating initiatives, organizing events, mentoring or coaching, providing leadership on boards, committees, or in celebration of an exceptional length of service.
How can I get involved?
To volunteer in the KFLA community please visit the United Way Volunteer Centre for current opportunities.
2016 VOLUNTEERS GROW COMMUNITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Youth Volunteer Award
Awarded to youth under 24 years who have volunteered, during the past year or longer, for a local not-for-profit organization or group.
Jennifer Evans– Nominated by Community Living Kingston and District and Down Syndrome Association of Kingston
Jennifer is a Queen’s University student who began volunteering for Community Living Kingston and District (CLKD) in her first year at Queen’s in 2013, when she was matched to provide friendship to a man with an intellectual and a physical disability through Queen’s Best Buddies program. Through CLKD, Jenn also began volunteering with the Down Syndrome Association of Kingston (DSAK) and Helen Tuft’s Nursery School (HTNS). Jenn volunteers one morning a week at HTNS with children ages 18 months to 4 years with a focus on social, language, and cognitive skills. She also volunteers for DSAK at monthly meetings or community events, and has identified a need for academic support and physical activity opportunities for children involved in this group. This past fall Jenn started a program called Extra Awesome, serving youth in Kingston with exceptionalities. She has recruited volunteers from Queen’s, along with friends to help with all 3 groups. Jenn has continued to increase her volunteer involvement each year, regardless of her busy school schedule. Her passion and amazing, giving spirit inspires others. She exhibits an extraordinary dedication to everything she is involved in and has been a great mentor, initiator and leader.
Volunteer Group Award
Awarded to groups who have volunteered, during the past year or longer, for a local not-for-profit organization or group.
Ongwanada Crescent Group – Nominated by Hotel Dieu Hospital
Each week, for more than 10 years, Leona Sanders and the Ongwanada Crescent Group have gone to Hotel Dieu Hospital to prepare information and education packages for patients having surgery or undergoing testing at the hospital. Ryan McDonald, Dawn McMillan, and Kelly Shannon are inspiring, unique individuals who have some challenges, but with the support and guidance of Leona they are able to be incredibly successful in their volunteer work. This group is a reminder that we all have a contribution to make to our community – it’s just a matter of finding the right fit. In 2015 alone, the Ongwanada Crescent Group contributed to the assembly of more than 22,000 information kits. Since 2004, they have contributed more than 2,800 hours. Ryan, Kelly and Dawn also volunteer their time and talents at other local agencies, each week.
Individual Volunteers (3 Recipients)
Awarded to individuals over 25 years of age, who have volunteered during the past year or longer, for a local not-for-profit organization or group.
Vicky Stacknick – Nominated by Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Vicky has been volunteering with CNIB, in many capacities, for the past 20 years beginning as a volunteer receptionist. Her most recent volunteering includes assisting people who are new to vision loss with learning braille by playing cards and board games. Vicky is also a Volunteer Ambassador for CNIB. She shares her own personal story through speaking engagements, to help raise awareness locally and share information about CNIB services, and educate people about blindness and low vision. Vicky is a wonderful example that having a disability doesn’t prevent you from contributing to the community.
John Poland– Nominated by Lakeside Community Garden
John Poland is the visionary and creator of the Lunch by George Donation Garden located at Lakeside Community Garden. John saw a need for fresh produce for the Lunch By George program that provides free healthy meals, 50 weeks of the year for less advantaged individuals in our community, and created the 110×25 foot vegetable garden to supply the program with fresh, organic, local produce. In 2015, he grew 2,600 lbs of fresh vegetables to feed up to 75 people daily. Excess produce is frozen to use in the winter, and also donated to Loving Spoonful to distribute to other community organization in need of food. In 2014, John also created a butterfly and caterpillar garden to provide habitat for local butterflies, to enhance the beauty of the community garden, and to provide educational opportunities for local school children. John works tirelessly at both gardens and is onsite daily to maintain them and to help and provide inspiration other gardeners with their plots.
Jim Docherty– Nominated by Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario
Jim Docherty has been a member of the Board of Directors with Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario since 2010, and has held the Executive positions of President and Secretary of the Board. Jim came to the organization during a time of turmoil and worked diligently to ensure that it would keep its doors open to continue serving those with epilepsy, and remain viable for years to come. Under his leadership, a new board was constructed and mentored, providing support to the Executive Director for strategies to strengthen the organization. Jim’s insights and extensive background in healthy board function and management have been invaluable. Without his leadership the organization would have ceased to exist. Since 2010, Jim has dedicated immeasurable expertise and time to Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario. His commitment is a testament to his character and generosity.
Family Volunteer Award
Awarded to families (with at least one adult and their family members, including youth under 24 years) who have volunteered, together, during the past year or longer, for a local not-for-profit organization or group.
Bonnie Galloway and Sister Gail Leeder – Nominated by Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox & Addington
Bonnie and Gail have volunteered with Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (FACS-FLA) since October 2007, and November 2009. They are both artistic and creative, and have filled a unique role by helping children in foster care or who have been adopted, to create Life Book memory albums. Through the Life Books, Bonnie and Gail help children understand their early childhood development, family tree and shared experiences that chronicle their time with family or in foster care. They take great care in their research of each child, finding unique and creative ways to document memories, photos and stories, that piece together the events, memories and special occasions in each child’s life in a way that is special and unique to them. In addition to volunteering with FACS-FLA, Bonnie and Gail volunteer at other community agencies. The sisters enjoy spending time together and do most of their community work together.
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