I have the privilege of seeing the impact volunteers make every day. I also know my team couldn’t do what we do without the support of volunteers. So this is one of my favourite weeks. National Volunteer Week provides us with the opportunity to pause and show our gratitude to the volunteers who make our communities thrive.

Whether they’re answering the phone, moving tables in the wee hours of the morning to ensure an event is set up, handling registration, ensuring you know your way around the Zoo, teaching someone English, collecting items for new Canadians, driving someone to a medical appointment, dropping off food hampers, attending various committee and board meetings or soliciting a friend for a valuable Campaign donation – volunteers are at the heart of the charitable sector. It is because of them Manitoba is able to celebrate our generosity.

If you want to become a volunteer but are just not sure how, you’re in luck. We have excellent resources in our community that can help you, including Spark.

Spark is an innovative program that matches organizations with people who want to donate professional skills to help achieve social good. Their matches are high impact by pairing experience and personalities of the volunteer with the causes that need them. Then, they build a work plan based on input from the volunteer and the organization.

The outcomes I’ve witnessed are inspiring. Some volunteers help develop mentorship programs, provide legal advice, HR policies & procedures, communication plans, marketing plans, just to name a few! If you’re an organization looking to engage skills-based volunteers or you’re a potential volunteer willing to do pro bono work, please visit sparkwpg.ca

To Manitoba’s volunteers and those considering becoming a volunteer, thank you for your commitment. On behalf of the countless people in your community that have benefited from your investment of your valuable time, I salute you.