Red Deer is showing what this community is made of by logging 1,294 volunteer hours in March as part of the Canada 150 for 150 Volunteer Challenge.
That put the community in second place behind volunteers in Kelowna who registered 1,967 hours last month. A total of 75 communities reported volunteer hours in March.
“We’re really excited, really thrilled, because we knew that Red Deer would rise to the challenge,” said Pam Snowdon, executive director of Volunteer Central that helps more than 100 non-profits and charities, mostly in Red Deer and a few in the Red Deer area, connect to volunteers.
“As far as this friendly competition goes, we’re surpassing really big places like Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary.”
The goal of the challenge is for Canadians to give back to their community and country in recognition of Canada’s 150th anniversary by volunteering 150 hours.
To register for the challenge, create a volunteer profile, track hours, tell volunteer stories, and find volunteer opportunities go to www.volunteercentral.ca.
Those who contribute the most hours in each province and territory will be invited to Ottawa to be recognized in a ceremony in early 2018.
Special recognition will be awarded to the new Canadian, aboriginal, youth and senior who contribute the most hours.
Participants must be at least 13 years old.
“All of this is giving us great momentum to go into National Volunteer Week (April 23 to 29). I think National Volunteer Week is going to inspire people to see causes or issues in the community that they feel passionate about and get involved,” Snowdon said.
This year the national week is also about recognizing all the informal volunteering people do, like collecting mail for an elderly neighbour. It’s time to celebrate the way Canadians are good neighbours, she said.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com