Becoming a volunteer not only helps the organization you are assisting and the community at large, but also makes better people, says the chair of the board of directors at one of the South Okanagan’s largest volunteer centres.

“I think the most important part of volunteerism is it improves your own personal mental health, it’s good for social involvement and it’s great for the community,” said Sharon Evans, board chair of the South Okanagan Similkamen Volunteer Centre, which will celebrate International Volunteer Day on Friday.

Hundreds of volunteers from Penticton to Princeton, Summerland to Osoyoos, and all communities in the South Okanagan, donate their services to help families in need, protect the environment, and assist animals in distress, and to many more causes, said Evans.

Statistics Canada reports that 47 per cent of Canadians age 15 and over do volunteer work and contribute 2.07 billion hours to their volunteer activities – a volume of work associated with 1.1 million full-time jobs.

International Volunteer Day, December 5, was declared by the United Nations 29 years ago to celebrate volunteerism worldwide and shine the light on how citizen participation makes a difference in shaping the world we want to live in, said Evans.

Volunteering is a personal and self-motivated activity and comes from the goodness of one’s heart and brings amazing rewards, she said.

On an individual basis, the immense impact that volunteer action has on a community may not be noticed. However, volunteers do develop stronger communities and countries, she said.

Volunteers around the globe secure access to social services, strengthen gender vulnerability, develop community resiliency, and work towards peace.

“On the world stage, volunteerism is a direct product of democracy as democratic societies promote and embrace the concept of caring about your neighbour and community, while that is often frowned upon in countries ran by totalitarian governments, where people live in fear,” she said.

International Volunteer Day acknowledges the role of all volunteers including youth in building secure and stronger global communities, she said.

Research shows that young people who volunteer tend to stay in the community and build resources leading to growth and security, said Evans.

“Mentorship with boards of directors along with other volunteer positions will help youth to develop skills and experience with governance activities,” states Evans.

The Volunteer Centre provides a “passport” to youth to register and track their skills and experiences gained through volunteering. Research shows that volunteering fosters the positive development of youth beyond enhancing experience and skills, said Evans.

“It makes a real difference because these volunteers often perform the duties paid staff simply can’t do,” she said. “Paid staff are paid to do what boards of directors ask or require them to do, so the success of many programs relies directly on volunteers to work with the clients.”

Programs like Better at Home in Osoyoos, which offers programs and services that allow seniors to remain in their homes, would not be able to function without the amazing support of volunteers, said Evans.

For more information on youth volunteering, or obtaining a Passport, contact the volunteer Centre at 1-888-57- 5661 or e-mail [email protected].

To find out where to volunteer and learn more about the volunteer opportunities open to residents in and around Osoyoos,  search at www.volunteercentre.info by clicking on “Volunteer Opportunities”.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times