19,434.
That’s the number of hours gifted to The Salvation Army by local volunteers in 2018!
For more than 100 years The Salvation Army has counted on volunteers to support its work in communities all over the world. You can be part of the meaningful work that continues to help change lives.
“We are eternally grateful to over 145 volunteers who assist in the many services that we provide in the communities of Abbotsford and Mission. These ambassadors to the community give their time, talents and resources to meet the ever-growing challenges that we face as we work to meet the needs in our area,” says Ian Pollard, Executive Director of the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope.
Why Volunteer with The Salvation Army?
The work you do will benefit others in need but can also create a meaningful experience for you as well. It’s a great way to:
- meet new people;
- make friends;
- feel accomplished by sharing your skills with others;
- enjoy new opportunities;
- enhance your resume;
- and build your work experience.
So many ways to volunteer!
“Volunteers help us help others in so many ways and we rely on volunteers from all walks of life,” Pollard says.
Depending on your interests and the skills you’d like to build or share, there are a variety of roles suited for individuals and groups.
You might serve coffee and meals, assist with community outreach, sort clothes and books, pack food for the emergency food bank or volunteer on the emergency disaster services team. You could fundraise for a wide variety of programs, drive the van, clerk in the thrift store, sort produce, wash dishes, assist in the drop-in centre – the opportunities are endless.
Seasonal volunteers are also vital: Christmas is the busiest season for The Salvation Army, whose volunteer force more than triples when the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign kicks off. And there are many opportunities to participate – from ringing the bells at a kettle, helping pack the Christmas hampers, serving at the Community Christmas Luncheon, assisting with the Santa Shuffle 5K run 1K walk, and helping market the events by putting up posters, making phone calls, and more!
Student Volunteers: If you’re a student and need to fulfill community hours, the local ministry does its best to find an appropriate opportunity for you.
“Charities rely on their volunteers to help them and without them it would be difficult to achieve all the good that they do. I volunteer for The Salvation Army because I believe in their work and the impact they have in the lives of the less fortunate in our community,” says Wendy Neufeld, Executive Director, Abbotsford Community Foundation.
You can be a hero by sharing your time, energy and skills. As a volunteer, you make an investment in your community. You’ll experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping people transform their lives, and along the way, you may discover some hidden qualities in yourself.
If you’d like to volunteer with The Salvation Army in Abbotsford and Mission, please call volunteer coordinator Sylvia at 604-852-9305 ext. #129, or visit centreofhope.net