National Volunteer Week is celebrated every year to promote and encourage volunteerism in our community. This year the theme "Volunteers Grow Community" gives all of us an opportunity to celebrate our volunteers and pay tribute to their contributions throughout Leeds and Grenville. Here are a few things to watch for during that week.

Catch the Spirit
This contest is offered to all students in Leeds and Grenville. For the second year this promotion of volunteerism to students will showcase the benefits, rewards and importance of volunteering. Complete with a coloring contest for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, an original artwork of volunteers in action for Grades 4 to 8, an essay for Grades 9 to 12 and a letter to a Volunteer for Adult learners, we will celebrate volunteers growing our communities.

Global Youth Service Day
On Global Youth Service Day April 13 2007, millions of young people in countries everywhere highlighted and carried out thousands of community improvement projects. G.Y.S.D. offers a way for local, national, and international organizations to:

* BUILD the capacity of an international network of organizations that promotes youth participation, service, and learning;

* EDUCATE the public, the media, and policy-makers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders around the world;

* MOBILIZE youth and adults to meet the needs of their communities through volunteering; and

* LEARN and share effective practices in youth service, youth voice, and civic engagement in the world today.

Look for articles in local newspapers on Global Youth Service Day and schools participating in it.



The Banner
Watch for the Volunteer Bureau's banner hung up during National Volunteer Week. This is our way of highlighted volunteers and creating an awareness of volunteerism in our community.

Volunteer Appreciation Evening
Awards will be given out to media, key supporters, and sponsors. Recognition will be given to volunteers and board members for their years of service and dedication to the Volunteer Bureau. The Dawn Cowan Memorial Award will be given out on behalf of the CNIB to a worthy student volunteer.

Salute to Volunteers
The Recorder and Times, 'Celebration' section will include photos of local volunteers in action, stories about volunteering and thank you ads from non-profit organizations. It will be published during National Volunteer Week. Watch and read how volunteers grow our community!

Volunteer Appreciation Events
Our Executive Director is available to speak at your Volunteer Appreciation event. The Volunteer Bureau services over 215 member agencies in addition to schools, churches, etc. so book early!

Interagency Meetings
An opportunity for Co-coordinators of Volunteers to relax and be appreciated for all of their hard work in managing volunteers.

Volunteer Highlight
On Monday, April 28th radio station104.9 JR-FM will be highlighting National Volunteer Week. A volunteer name will be drawn from agency submissions, the volunteer will be sent flowers, a letter of appreciation from the Mayor of their community and a certificate for their volunteering efforts from the Volunteer Bureau. Just one more way to recognize the importance of volunteers in our communities!