Volunteer Week 2021: Thank you, WoodGreen volunteers for being there during these challenging times

This week (April 18-24) is National Volunteer Week — a week to recognize the importance of volunteers and the amazing contributions they make every day. Thank you to all WoodGreen volunteers for everything you do! You are a vital part of our organization and we couldn’t do our work without you.

WoodGreen volunteers step up during a challenging year 

WoodGreen’s volunteers always go the extra mile and this is especially true during these unprecedented times. Issues such as mental health, homelessness, and isolation have only gotten worse in our city due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our volunteers stepped up and helped us to address these challenges and support the most vulnerable in our community. Last year, they donated a combined 14,460 hours of their time to WoodGreen.

Additionally, because of the flexibility and dedication of our volunteers, we were able to transition our in-person activities online to meet the needs of an increasing number of clients. Right now, incredibly, 70 per cent of our volunteers are providing client services virtually. 

All WoodGreen volunteers have a strong desire to give back

WoodGreen volunteers come from different backgrounds and cultures. But they all have one thing in common: they want to help make a difference in their community. 

Volunteers such as John Karr, who has volunteered with WoodGreen as a Mentor/Career Coach at the Community Connections Program since 2017. 

And also volunteers such as Zoya Hussein, who felt compelled to do something to help her community when the pandemic started. That led her to volunteer for the Community Response Team led by WoodGreen’s Inter-Professional Care (IPC) program. 

We also have corporate volunteers, who help support our food delivery and virtual programming, particularly in the newcomer and workforce areas.

Thank you, WoodGreen volunteers for everything you do!

WoodGreen Meals on Wheels volunteers. Photo Credit: WoodGreen Community Services

This is only a small glimpse of the positive impact that volunteers—like John and Zoya—make every day. Volunteers are one of the main pillars of WoodGreen. If you are a WoodGreen volunteer, thank you so much for choosing to share your expertise and time with us. 

We wish you all a very happy National Volunteer Week!

Want to make a difference in your community? Visit our website to see our latest volunteer openings and find out how you can apply.