Statistics Canada did a survey of Giving, Volunteering & Participating and from it we have learned some interesting things about people in Ontario and their volunteering activities. It was reported that one of the significant barriers to volunteering for people in Ontario was because they were unable to make a long-term commitment.

At Community Care we carefully track which volunteers are unavailable because they’re travelling, unwell or taking a break for some other reason. We have a quick and easy reference for all of the Community Care staff members so that we don’t call people who have let us know that they’re away for awhile.

If you’ve been considering volunteer work and this issue is preventing you from making the decision to get involved, I want to personally assure you that Community Care can accommodate short-term volunteers, and those who are available for only certain days of the week or for certain parts of a year. Our staff meet with each potential new volunteer and work out a schedule that will accommodate the time that people can give. That’s what volunteering is. It’s fitting the task into your busy life.

Another reason given for why people don’t volunteer was “because no one asked”. If you’re thinking that way then I ask that you consider this a personal invitation from me to you. If you’d rather hear it from me then give me a call at the office – 613-476-7493 – or stop in at 74A King Street and we’ll chat about it.

Community Care staff members are very well prepared to work with volunteers. Most of them have either years of experience or academic preparation for the task or both. As an agency we think we’ve pretty well got the kinks worked out of our processes. Our staff members will work diligently to find you a volunteer placement that works for you. And if our programs don’t fit your interests or time availability, we know about other agencies and opportunities where you can share your skill and time.

We have an urgent need for people to volunteer to help with programming for the County Seniors Centre. This would entail helping at one or more of the nine town halls in the county. If you have three or four hours a week for this please call. We also have openings for Meals on Wheels drivers in all parts of The County. This takes two hours from 11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. For more information on these and other available volunteer positions (such as driving seniors to appointments, visiting, or helping at events) call Community Care at 613-476-7493.

You might also want to watch the great videos on our web site at www.communitycareforseniors.org and see the difference that volunteering has made to the lives of some of our volunteers. We’re waiting to hear from you! Just call us or drop in and see us at 74A King Street in Picton.

County Seniors Centre Programs

Check our website, Facebook page, call us or stop in and find out all that we have on the go. You will be amazed.

Yard work

Community Care has workers that have been interviewed and checked by our staff. They are willing to do your yard and garden and other outside work, light housekeeping, meal preparation, stay with a senior for a few hours or overnight, wash walls, and many other things that help seniors live at home. Call 613-476-7493 for more information.