National Volunteer Week: Volunteering weaves us together

I simply cannot imagine what our organization, our frontline agencies or our community would look like and feel like without volunteers.

People who selflessly donate their time, skills, energy and passion to improve the lives of others infuse everything we do at United Way Halton & Hamilton. From our Employee Campaign Chairs to our Board of Directors, from our Campaign Cabinet to our Women United Committee, we could not do the work we do without volunteers.

Each of our agencies rely on the collective impact of volunteers who step up to raise funds, run events, and help create and action our strategic visions. Our community is quite simply built upon the dedication, generosity, empathy, and sacrifice of those who step up to pitch in.

The theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week, which runs April 16-22, is Volunteering weaves us together.

That evokes to me the image of a tightly knit cloth, made strong by the weaving of fibres to create a stronger fabric. Volunteers are individuals who come together in powerful ways to achieve what couldn’t be achieved otherwise.

There is magic in unified action.

Volunteers come together to achieve a common purpose, address pressing local issues and inequities in community.

Through volunteering, we experience our human connectedness and sense of belonging, and discover the meaningfulness of serving others.

Burlington, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton, and Oakville are filled with people who lead with their generosity and kindness in ways that can never be fully measured.

Just like each individual thread makes woven fabric stronger, every volunteer’s experience, perspective, and capability add to our collective resilience and reinforces our ability to grow, thrive, and create change.

National Volunteer Week is a wonderful opportunity to show our volunteers just how much their contributions are valued and to encourage each community members to put forward their talents and abilities to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the world.

From our entire United Way team, a gracious thank you to all of our volunteers for your kind contributions. Your commitment helps to build a strong community where everyone can thrive.

With gratitude,