Volunteer Appreciation

Volunteer Appreciation

5th December 2011

With International Volunteer Day being celebrated around the world on Monday 5th December, it is a time for Interchange Outer East to acknowledge and celebrate the huge contribution made by volunteers to our Interchange community.

We could not run our diverse recreation program without the mainly young people who demonstrate such enormous commitment and energy supporting children on camps and activities during weekends and holiday periods. While they get to play and have fun with the children, make friends and participate in a whole range of experiences and activities, they also act as role models, learn about responsibility, commitment, empathy and the importance of acceptance of difference. They transform recreational activities into exciting, fun and memorable experiences for the children.

As a special thank you to these volunteers, and to celebrate International Volunteers Day, Interchange organized a carnival theme party last Friday - complete with sumo suits, lots of games, fairyfloss, popcorn …  Just one of the ways we let our recreation volunteers know how much they are appreciated.  See the photos in our gallery.

Fewer in number but no less important to our organisation are the volunteers who host children through our Volunteer Host Program. These volunteers share their lives with the children, giving them the opportunity to experience a whole range of new experiences and relationships while providing their families with a well earned break. The Host program is the original core program of Interchange and is a valuable part of the support we offer our families. The benefits of this program are enjoyed by everyone involved and extend to the wider community.

And lastly there are those who volunteer to support the young adults in our Balance program, those who volunteer in the office (and the day to day running of Interchange) and those who assist Interchange in so many other ways. Thank you to all of you.

International Volunteer Day (IVD) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. IVD is now celebrated worldwide with thousands of volunteers involved in a range of IVD initiatives to highlight the role of volunteers in their communities.

by Sandra Leehy