Volunteering & Healthy Aging

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering - A Canadian Way of Life


Volunteering is a big part of Canadian life. Many Canadians are generous when it comes to helping others. Every year, 12.5 million volunteers give their time, energy and skills to make our communities better.

According to Volunteer Canada, much of what Canadians take for granted is delivered to us by volunteers. The work of volunteers is essential to our communities and to our social fabric.

Canada's Volunteer Crunch

Over twelve million volunteers in Canada is a lot, but a small percentage of Canadians are carrying most of the load, and most of them are already in their seventies. As they step down and become fewer in number, a whole new generation of volunteers needs to fill their places -in new and varied ways.

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Volunteers Say...

"People and organizations need help at times, and those of us that are more fortunate need to pitch in, because we’re part of the world. You get out of it what you put in."

Connie, Volunteer



Did You Know?

"Canadian volunteers contributed over two billion volunteer hours to organizations in 2007—the equivalent of one million full-time jobs. 78% of these hours are done by about 25% of Canadians."

2007 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participation