The second Saturday in April sees the third annual Volunteer Fair in Sooke. This year, it will be held at the Sooke Child, Youth and Family Centre at 2145 Townsend Road, April 12 from noon to 3 p.m.
Hosted by the Sooke Region Volunteer Centre (SRVC), this volunteer fair is an excellent way for present and future volunteers to check out the many organizations in Sooke that utilize volunteers. There are about 180 such organizations in Sooke suggested Marlene Barry, who serves as the Chair of the Centre.
"The aim is to have a good cross-representation of the 180-plus organizations in the region," said Barry.
When they first started two years ago, Barry said that about 54 organization were present, and in the their second year, the number dropped to 45. Regardless of the numbers, the number of Fair visitors were about the same, which Barry estimates were over 100.
This year, Barry would love to see more organization represented. Clubs, charities, societies are all encouraged to apply.
It's a great deal, said Barry, adding that there is no cost to be present and that it's a great opportunity to put your non-profit organization forward for community involvement.
SRVC's mission is to promote and support volunteerism in the Sooke Region, referring to the geographic region that extends from East Sooke to Port Renfrew.
Barry is interested in promoting volunteerism as a way of life. "You just help someone. You make a casserole because your neighbour is sick, or you look after their kids … spontaneous volunteering."
Volunteering fills voids. Using the volunteer firefighters as a visible example, Barry notes the invaluable contributions that volunteers give to a community.
In Sooke, one can easily say that volunteering is central to our community.
The District's website (sooke.ca) easily makes the claim that volunteerism "has played a major role throughout the history of Sooke in the betterment of the community in a great variety of ways."
The website continues, "Sooke has claimed the name 'Volunteer Capital of Canada' and proudly displays the title on the 'Welcome to Sooke' sign."
Organizations that utilize volunteers may benefit from a membership with SRVC, in that the Centre does an initial screening of volunteers and helps them locate the organization that would best fulfil their reasons for volunteering.
The event is being sponsored by the Sooke Region Volunteer Centre, the Royal Bank, and Sooke Family Resource Services. Visit sookeregionresources.com/sooke-region-volunteer-centre, 250-642-6364 Ext. 235