PROVINCE THANKS VOLUNTEERS

The Province says thank you to Saskatchewan volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 15 to 21.

“Volunteers grow community and in Saskatchewan that is especially true,” Premier’s Voluntary Sector Initiative Co-chair Doreen Hamilton said.  “Thank you to all the volunteers who offer their time and talents to making Saskatchewan the best place in the nation to raise a family and share in our communities.”

National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the tremendous contribution made by more than 12,000 non-profit organizations and 5,000 incorporated charities in Saskatchewan.  From special events, to those on the front line of social service delivery, volunteering is a major part of our provincial community in growing a province that leads the nation as a place to live, work and raise a family.

According to The Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating released in 2006, Saskatchewan residents volunteer at the highest rate in Canada at 54 per cent.

The province’s dedicated volunteers enable thousands of community-based organizations, registered charities and non-profit organizations to fulfil their mandates every day.  Through the hard work and commitment of these generous and caring people, they continue to make a difference in the quality of life of families and communities as well as generating over $3.7 billion annually to the provincial economy.

The Premier’s Voluntary Sector Initiative, established in 2002, works to strengthen the relationship between government and Saskatchewan’s voluntary sector to assist volunteer organizations in effectively fulfilling their mandates.  Culture, Youth and Recreation and Community Resources are the two lead departments supporting the initiative.  Legislative Secretary Hamilton co-chairs the Premier’s Voluntary Sector Initiative along with Tracey Mann of United Way of Regina.

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For more information, contact:

Richard Fink
Culture, Youth and Recreation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5781

Dianne Shannon
Community Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8689