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Friday.January 29.2016 • Vol. 21 No. 14
Canada Post Agreement 40069240
4290 Padgett Rd 604.485.9744
Sense of community Volunteer Powell River provides essential service
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Volu nteer ism a l low s communities to strengthen and flourish. From service groups and community support services to youth organizations and sports clubs, volunteers play a key role in Powell River’s development and growth. “W hen organizations in the community are in need of volunteers, we try to fill in the gaps,” says Jayde Bazinet, coordinator for Volunteer Powell River (VPR). “Powell River is full of many volunteers; the community spirit that comes with that is truly heartwarming.” An initiative of Powell River and District United Way, VPR operates as a referral service for organizations in need of recruiting volunteers and provides a starting point for people interested in finding a place to donate their time and effort. “Volunteer Powell River is at its best when we’re filling spots in organizations or welcoming new members into the community,” explains Jayde. Since Jayde assumed the coordinator position and a new steering committee was formed in spring of 2015, VPR has been working to increase its visibility in Powell River. Searching for and encouraging more organizations to come forward with additional volunteer postings is always a priority. “We would like to have a wider selection of opportunities available for volunteers new to the community or people looking for something different to
apply for,” says Jayde. “We have a good selection now, but we’re always looking to expand.” The organization averages 10 new volunteers each month, not including individuals who choose to volunteer for multiple organizations or come back to seek additional opportunities. “People new to Powell R iver don’t necessa rily know what is going on, where to get involved or how they can help out,” says Jayde. “Diverse groups from across our area have an invested interest in volunteer activities.” Individuals can express an area of interest when filling out a registration form, whether it involves working with children or animals, in a health-related field, helping out with seniors, or anything that matches their own personal experience. “A lot of organizations are looking for volunteers with specific skills,” says Jayde. “We see a recurring need for capable drivers across different groups, which is something we can definitely accommodate.” Powell River Therapeutic R id ing A ssociat ion, Meals on Wheels, Better at Home, BOND (Babies Open New Doors), Powell River Hea lth-Care Au x iliar y and initiatives such as the ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) bus program are examples of organizations that rely on and operate with the help of volunteers. “Because the volunteers come in to apply, we get to
Filling spaces Volunteer Powell River coordinator Jayde Bazinet promotes volunteerism in the community and helps match organizations in need of volunteers with individuals interested in opportunities where they can apply their skills and experience.
know them a little bit more personally and find out about their skills, so we are able to make recommendations,” says Jayde. Student intern Stephanie Williams works with Jayde making and distributing flyers to further inform the public about services available at VPR. Sponsored weekly advertising in the Peak is also helping to raise awareness. “We are very grateful to Save-On-Foods for providing the ad,” says Jayde. “A lot of people come in because they see it in the paper.” For Jayde, who grew up in Port Alice and recently
graduated from Vancouver Isla nd Un iversit y i n Nanaimo, volunteering was a great way to get involved in the community. “I am relatively new to Powell River; I moved here about a year and a half ago,” she said. “Events such as the Celebration of Cultural Diversity were a direct way to feel included and get to know new people.” I nd i v idu a l s a nd organizations can email vprdesk@gmail.com, call 604.485.2132 or go to unitedwayofpowellriver.ca/ volunteer-postings.html for more information. Volunteer Powell River
will also be present at Career Link’s job fair on Tuesday, March 8. “The importance of volunteering is the sense of community it generates,” says Jayde. “I st rong ly feel that Volunteer Powell River is an essential service to a happy, growing community.” VPR is located at 4750 Joyce Avenue, above Rona Building Centre. Office hou r s a r e 9 a m-1 pm, Tuesday to Thursday.
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