What does volunteering mean to you? Did you know that prior to the Second World War the Sooke area was home to five non-profit organizations? Now, we boast 160+ strong. We are touched on a regular basis by those in our midst who give back to the community where they live. National Volunteer Week is a great opportunity to find out more, offer our gratitude and find opportunities to give back.
The Sooke Region Volunteer Centre (SRVC) Committee is gearing up to celebrate National Volunteer Week April 21 – 27, 2013. The main event will be the Second Annual Sooke Region Volunteer Fair to be held Saturday, April 27 at the Sooke Community Hall.
The Committee is also sponsoring a logo competition. They invite the community to submit their ideas for a logo for the Sooke Region Volunteer Centre. Draw or print your ideas on a standard sheet of white paper. On the back please write a one paragraph description of what volunteering means to you, as well as your name, age if a minor, and contact information. Submissions should be in an envelope and can be mailed to or dropped off at Volunteer Centre Committee , c/o Sooke Child Youth and Family Centre, 2145 Townsend Road, Sooke, B.C. V9Z OH3, or email them to volunteersooke@gmail.com.
The entry deadline is April 2. The contest is open to residents of the Sooke region of all ages. The winner will be announced at the April 27 Volunteer Fair.
“Our Mission,” says Johanne Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator, “is to enhance community spirit within the region by being a strong and relevant voice that promotes and supports volunteerism through collaboration with volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations. Our first ever Volunteer Fair in June of last year was a huge success. This one will be even better!”
Thompson is excited about the projects SRVC has on the go, with more in the works. Recently, the District of Sooke was awarded a grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities for the Sooke Seniors Volunteers Connections project. SRVC will be conducting the work of this grant and it will bring together youth and seniors in the Sooke Region to collaborate on a vision for volunteering and cooperative intergenerational needs. It will also offer groups the opportunity to provide input on the development of a Volunteer Centre for the Region.
The second annual Volunteer Fair will be open to non-profit and community groups to showcase their work. Community members are invited to come and see what’s happening in our region, meet the agencies that are hard at work in the area, and find out what makes us a ‘Volunteer Capital of Canada.’
“It will be a family event” says Nicky Logins, SVRC member, “with even more fun activities than last year’s fair.”
To find out more please watch our website at www.sookeregionresources.com, or contact Johanne Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator at 250-514-8865 or volunteersooke@gmail.com.
Johanne Thompson, Sooke Region Volunteer Centre