GUELPH – The People and Information Network (PIN) recently held its annual ‘Time to Give’ in celebration of National Volunteer Week and the contributions of volunteers.
With appreciation remarks from all levels of government, gratitude from presenting sponsor University of Guelph and speaker Dr. Megan Conway, CEO, Volunteer Canada, recognition of the contributions of volunteers was clear.
“Volunteerism fuels communities,” said Kim Cusimano, PIN’s executive director. She noted “12.7 million Canadians volunteer formally with a group or organization, sharing 1.6 billion hours that fuel and flow in our communities.”
PIN was pleased to recognize volunteers in five award categories through a local initiative supported by the Here to Help team that welcomed artists and photographers to submit art that embodies community.
The winning submission ‘The Bridge that Connects Us’ by Christopher Cape was developed into the 2022 Volunteer Awards.
The 2022 Volunteer Award Winners are:
– Leaders of Tomorrow: Shuk Man Ng, Student Volunteer Connections, University of Guelph;
– Community Volunteer Award: Henry Kielar, Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington;
– Guiding Light Award: Kate Webster, Up and Running Guelph;
– Leadership Award: Michael Ruhl, Compass Community Services; and
– Lifetime Achievement Award: Louise Mackenzie and JoAnne Howes.
In addition, with thanks to Sleeman Breweries, award winners were captured in a PIN volunteer appreciation video that highlighted volunteer efforts and provided insight for viewers about what volunteering means to them.
“PIN believes in the value of contributing to community, formally and informally” said Cusimano,
“In addition to formal volunteering, 74 per cent of Canadians volunteer informally giving back 3.4 billion hours through various acts of kindness; lending a green thumb to a neighbour starting a garden, child minding for a friend, collecting food or hosting a birthday food drive, the generosity of the human spirit can be found through even the simplest of acts.”
The theme of National Volunteer Week 2022 was “Volunteering is Empathy in Action,” affirming the strong connection between volunteerism and empathy.
“We have seen this caring and human kindness in action; the generosity of spirit is a shining light even in our recent dark times,” said Cusimano. “Volunteerism is a connector, a powerhouse, a community asset.”
During National Volunteer Week, Volunteer Canada, in partnership with the Rideau Hall Foundation and Employment and Social Development Canada, launched a national conversation about empathy.
A recent survey conducted by the Canadian Mental Health Association and UBC researchers found that “only 13 per cent of Canadians are feeling empathetic”, a 10 per cent decline since the onset of the pandemic.
Volunteering can help develop empathy, officials say, to connect and strengthen relationships and expand views through diverse, lived experiences.
“The generosity of spirit has impact. Across the country, right here at home and within ourselves,” officials stated. “Together we can uplift our hearts, community and our sense of belonging through empathy in action.”
For more information visit PINnetwork.ca.
