Canadians have a rich history of volunteering and community involvement, and Muskoka is no exception. Volunteers are on the front lines of all of our community services — community health care, heritage and arts, maintenance of green space, disaster relief, volunteer firefighting, minor sports; the list is endless.

The work of the volunteer is essential. Muskoka Seniors pays tribute to their many volunteers who so willingly donate their time and energy. Last year, 123 volunteers provided 17,215 hours of service to seniors in our community.

Volunteerism is an integral part of many Canadians’ lives. Volunteers read, coach, mentor and train. They donate, give, chair, befriend and lend a helping hand. They plant, feed, soothe, visit, sew, plan, co-ordinate, paint, clean, sort and prepare. They are the young and old and the in-between and they are everywhere across this nation. According to the 2004 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, volunteers contribute two billion hours, the equivalent of one million full-time jobs.

Join with Muskoka Seniors this week, National Volunteer Week April 27-May 3, and say thank you to the many volunteers in Muskoka who have turned their compassion into action!

Karen Waters

Volunteer resource manager

Muskoka Seniors