Recognizing Our Incredible Volunteers

April marks National Volunteer month in Ontario, which has always been a great opportunity to celebrate the hundreds of volunteers across Dufferin-Caledon.  Volunteers are especially important this year as our community comes together to deal with the additional challenges because of COVID-19 outbreak. During the COVID-19 response, many organizations are no longer able to operate in the same way in order to protect clients and volunteers and to limit the spread of COVID-19. One again, creativity and ingenuity are the centre of volunteering and volunteerism.

Volunteerism in the traditional sense has often included gathering as a group of enthusiastic and committed individuals who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get work done in support of the community. COVID-19 has changed that for the time being and many volunteers have been asked to self-isolate, stay at home and avoid going out except for the essentials. I know how difficult this has been on many volunteers, who are so used to being part of an organization and making a difference in our community. However, above all else, volunteers are resourceful and have always risen to the challenge. Volunteering has not necessarily disappeared during COVID-19; rather, it has changed.

There are so many examples of volunteers reaching out using safe physical distancing measures to ensure everyone in our community is looked after during this time. Friends, neighbours and strangers are reaching out and offering their help; offering to shop for a senior who should not be leaving their home, sewing face masks to be donated, or reaching out through social media to connect with friends. In our community, there are online exercise classes, online story time, online tutoring, online music classes and donation drives – all done by volunteers. In Dufferin-Caledon, some of the organizations that rely on volunteers have adapted how they deliver their services. For example, Dufferin Food Share is a collaboration of some community food banks and churches combining their resources to reach as many families and individuals as needed. With some changes to ensure safety of both its clients and volunteers, Caledon Meals on Wheels is continuing to find ways to deliver in home meals. Volunteering may not be a face-to-face interaction in these circumstances, but volunteers are rising to the challenge and making life better for many in our community.

Last week, our government launched a new platform called SPARK Ontario at sparkontario.ca, to connect volunteers who want to help with community organizations that are helping seniors and people with disabilities who are struggling with the restrictions caused by COVID-19. SPARK Ontario is the province’s first bilingual volunteer hub designed to direct volunteers to where they are needed most. The needs of each community vary, but groups in Dufferin-Caledon and across the province are looking for volunteers to help deliver food or medicines, run errands or check-up on seniors and the most vulnerable by phone or email while they self-isolate. We can find ways to help one another, while practicing social distancing and ensuring we are following the guidelines set out by our Medical Officers of Health.

Once again, thank you to the countless volunteers who are making a difference in our community. I know that once life returns to normal, the organization you volunteer with will need you to come back and help to re-establish the face-to-face outreach that is on hold for the time being. Thank you to all the volunteers who have found unique and interesting ways to make a difference during these challenging times, and thank you for all the volunteers who will sign up on the SPARK Ontario website, to find out where you can make a difference. The time and talent of our volunteers is critical for our community, and at this time we need both more than ever.

If you know an individual who has found a unique and interesting way to volunteer during COVID-19, I’d like to thank them, please contact my office by email at sylvia.jonesco@pc.ola.org or by phone at 1-800-265-1603.

To find out more about our government’s COVID-19 response and programs, visit my website at www.sylviajonesmpp.ca.