National Volunteer Week Starts April 18th

April 19 - 25 is National Volunteer Week. The celebration recognizes the "1.5 million Albertans" and the "12.5 million Canadians" that donate their time to the non-profit sector. Laurel Benson, President & CEO of Volunteer Calgary said in a press release that “National Volunteer Week is meant to officially celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that is so much a part of what makes us uniquely Canadian and decidedly Calgarian.”

Calgary has over 5,000 registered non-profit and charitable organizations and has a statistically-backed reputation as one of Canada's most giving cities. National Volunteer Week was recognized officially last year by Mayor Dave Bronconnier, who wrote in an official proclamation "the most common types of volunteer activities are coaching children's teams, fund-raising, organizing special events, providing information to the public, visiting people who are sick or elderly, helping with childcare or household chores, and serving as a committee or board member."

During National Volunteer Week, Volunteer Alberta is encouraging those who volunteer to keep track of the hours they have given to non-profit and charitable organizations. Voulunteers Count is an online registry that will display how much time Albertans give and at the same time - celebrate their important efforts.

Minister Lindsay Blackett has also made a video message "in honour of National Volunteer Week and the thousands of dedicated and caring volunteers in the province."