Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

ADAM OLSEN -- Volunteers are the life force behind many non-government organizations


The third week of April is National Volunteer Week.

It’s the time each year that we collectively pause to acknowledge and appreciate the effort of millions of Canadians and British Columbians. Amidst a global health crisis, the contribution of volunteers is even more pronounced.

Non-profits and charities make a huge contribution in our communities. They provide a human touch, connectivity and for many a reprieve from isolation. Volunteers support vulnerable people, the arts and youth sports, they dedicate their time and efforts to ensure our communities are vibrant and healthy.

Many of the volunteer-run organizations that we have come to depend on are critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time that service delivery has been disrupted, demand is skyrocketing.

Additionally, fundraising has dramatically decreased as businesses are shut down, people have been laid off and financial markets are in chaos.

As we raise our hands in gratitude for everything that volunteers contribute to our communities and organizations, the need for more volunteers right now is greater than ever.

If you would like to help please visit Volunteer BC to learn how volunteering has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic and how you can get connected with a local organization or program that needs your assistance.

We can ease the impact of this difficult time by communities coming together and looking out for each other. That is the important work that volunteers do every day.

Thank you to everyone who chooses to spend their time and energy to help lift others up.


Can you help? Here are a few resources that offer a good starting point for you.

Supporting Seniors ... Contact BC211 to volunteer with the new Safe Seniors, Strong Communities Program

Charities/Non-Profits ... check out Charity Village for a variety of opportunities.


Adam Olsen (SȾHENEP) … serves as the Member for Saanich North and the Islands and Interim Leader for the BC Green Party. Born in Victoria, BC, Adam has lived, worked and played his entire life on the Saanich Peninsula. He is a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), where he and his wife, Emily, are raising their two children, Silas and Ella.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Budget 2027: After a Decade of Decline, NDP Budget Delivers an Assault on Seniors, Working Families, and Small Businesses

Peter Milobar, BC Conservative Finance Critic, condemned the NDP government’s latest budget as the result of a decade of decline that has left British Columbians broke, unsafe, and paying more for less.   “After ten years of NDP mismanagement, this budget is an assault on seniors, working families, and the small businesses that drive our economy,” said Milobar. “The NDP have turned their back on the people working hardest to make ends meet and the seniors who built this province.” Milobar pointed to a new $1.1 billion annual income tax increase and warned that the government is piling new costs onto households already struggling with affordability.   “This government keeps asking British Columbians for more, while delivering less,” Milobar said. “The question people are asking is simple: Where has all the money gone?” Milobar noted that BC has gone from a surplus in the first year of NDP government to a projected deficit of more than $13 billion this year, while prov...

FORSETH – My question is, ‘How do we decide who is blue enough to be called a Conservative?’

How do we decide who’s blue enough to be a Conservative? AS OF TODAY (Friday January 30 th ), there are now eight individuals who have put their names forward to lead the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Having been involved with BC’s Conservatives since 2010, and having seen MANY ups and downs, having 8 people say “I want to lead the party” is to me, an incredible turn-around from the past. Sadly, however, it seems that our party cannot seem to shake what I, and others, call a purity test of ‘what is a Conservative’. And that seems to have already come to the forefront of the campaign by a couple of candidates. Let me just say as a Conservative Party of BC member, and as someone active in the party, that frustrates me to no end. Conservatives, more than any other political philosophy or belief, at least to me, seems to have the widest and broadest spectrum of ideals.   For the most part, they are anchored by these central thoughts --- smaller and less intru...

Stamer: Hope for Forestry Completely Shattered After Another Provincial Review Driven by DRIPA

IMAGE CREDIT:  Provincial Forestry Advisory Council Conservative Critic for Forests Ward Stamer says the final report from the Provincial Forestry Advisory Council confirms the worst fears of forestry workers and communities; instead of addressing the real issues driving mill closures and job losses, the NDP has produced a report that ignores industry realities and doubles down on governance restructuring. Despite years of warnings from forestry workers, contractors, and industry organizations about permitting delays, regulatory costs, fibre access, and the failure of BC Timber Sales, the PFAC report offers no urgency, no timelines, and no concrete action to stop the ongoing decline of the sector. “ This report completely shatters any remaining hope that the government is serious about saving forestry ,” said Stamer.  “ We didn’t need another study to tell us what industry has been saying for years. While mills close and workers lose their livelihoods, the NDP is focused on re...

Labels

Show more