From becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister to volunteering at the local theatre or television station, opportunities abound in Northumberland County for those wanting to contribute to their community.
Residents can hear more about the organizations in need, meet people who work for the agencies, and connect with those who volunteer by taking part in an upcoming event in Cobourg.
Community Care Northumberland (CCN) is hosting the Northumberland Volunteer Fair from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24 at the Cobourg Lions Community Centre, which is located at 157 Elgin St. E. The annual event draws together both organizations and individuals who want to make a positive impact in their community.
“It’s shaping up to be a fantastic event that highlights the many ways people can get involved and make a difference in our community,” Chelsea Rankin, communications specialist for CCN, told kawarthaNOW. “We’re excited to be joined by a variety of local organizations at the upcoming volunteer fair.”
Some of the participating organizations are Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Durham and Northumberland, Rebound Child & Youth Services Northumberland, Northumberland Hills Hospital, Community Health Centres of Northumberland, Capitol Theatre, Cogeco YourTV, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland, and The Rose Quest.
Rankin said organizations are also still welcome to register to be a vendor at the event. Vendor tables are $35 and include lunch. The registration deadline is Monday, September 15.
“This is a great opportunity to connect with enthusiastic volunteers,” Rankin said.
CCN currently has more than 562 volunteers and “we are always looking for more helping hands to support our services and fundraising events,” Rankin added.
Trish Baird, CEO of CCN, said in a statement she’s “constantly inspired by the incredible commitment of our volunteers.”
“They make a real difference every single day, and we’re looking forward to meeting even more people who want to get involved,” Baird added.
For more information or to register as a vendor, contact Kelly at volunteer@commcare.ca or 1-866-514-5774.
CCN is a multi-service community support organization in Northumberland County.
Through the creation, coordination, and delivery of nutrition, transportation, wellness, in-home, and hospice services, CCN aims to improve the health and well-being of its clients.
The organization’s programs and services target enhancing the quality of life for seniors, adults with disabilities, those recovering from illness or injury, hospice clients, and their loved ones and caregivers, allowing them to remain in their own homes and communities.
Currently, on a broader scale, volunteerism in Canada is witnessing a growing decline. According to Statistics Canada, the total number of volunteer hours has decreased significantly across the country in recent years.
The percentage of Canadians volunteering for non-profits and charities dropped from 41 per cent in 2018 to 32 per cent in 2023, Volunteer Canada noted in reference to Statistics Canada’s most recent “Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating.”
Total volunteer hours dropped to 1.2 billion, down by more than a quarter from 1.7 billion in 2018.
