Volunteer Markham receives $83,800 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant

Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE                                                          May 14, 2021

Markham – On Friday, Markham-Unionville MPP Billy Pang held a virtual meeting with members of Volunteer Markham to officially congratulate them on receiving an $83,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Joining the call with MPP Pang was Nalin De Silva, an OTF volunteer, to hear more about how the grant will broaden its programs and services and funding sources. The project will be completed in early 2022 and will give people in the community a wider range of volunteering opportunities while helping other charities, groups and nonprofits find the resources they need.

“This investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help Volunteer Markham grow is great news for both volunteers and nonprofits in our community,” said Billy Pang, MPP for Markham-Unionville. “Volunteerism is so important to Markham. It provides critical resources to organizations in need, and excellent opportunities for residents to develop new skills while giving back to the community.”

Volunteer Markham helps build a stronger community through innovative programs that inspire, inform, and connect volunteers with the organizations that need them. The Resilient Communities Fund was developed to help non-profit organizations recover and rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19 to continue meeting the needs of Ontario communities. And thanks to the grant, the Centre can expand the breadth of its programs, volunteers, and organizations it supports.

“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is significant,” said George Sheen, Chair of Volunteer Markham’s Fundraising Committee. “This grant will allow us to strengthen our operations, deepen our service offerings, and provide more value to the community.”

Volunteer Markham provides excellent volunteering opportunities to youth, residents, seniors, newcomers and others in our community. If you would like to explore volunteering opportunities, please visit the website at: https://volunteerconnect.ca/.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $115 million to 644 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario. www.otf.ca

Volunteer Markham’s Annual General Meeting

Volunteer Markham AGM Registration

In accordance to the bylaws of Volunteer Markham (Information Markham), a charitable organization operating in the City of Markham, the Annual General Meeting will be held on June 21, 2021 at 6pm via Google web cast.

Interested members of the community are invited to attend. Please register via this form in order to receive the meeting link.

Volunteer Drivers and Translators Needed as PinkCars.ca Continues and Expands Across Canada to Ensure All Seniors Get Vaccinated

As Ontario continues to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine for the general public, the primary focus remains on our most vulnerable population here in York Region. As we continue to be able to get more of our community vaccinated, the need for volunteer drivers also continues.  We are also helping book appointments. PinkCars.ca is now looking for volunteer translators to ease the process for our residents.

PinkCars.ca, in collaboration with Volunteer Markham, is pleased to launch an online portal for seniors who require transportation in order to get vaccinated. PinkCars.ca will arrange transportation by connecting the senior with a volunteer driver. The service will also help seniors schedule their vaccination appointment.  This service has expanded across Canada.

Those interested in volunteering can apply via the PinkCars.ca website (URL below). Volunteer Drivers will need to submit an application form and copies of the following documents:

  • Driver’s license – with a minimum
    of five years of driving experience
  • Car insurance document
  • Vulnerable Sector Check – please
    contact Pink Cars prior to applying for this

Shanta Sundarasan, Pink Cars Founder, stated her passion is driven by “Working With the Community, For the Community”.  Mirja Raita, Executive Director of Volunteer Markham, couldn’t agree more that any barriers to receiving vaccinations should be addressed immediately.   Shanta has been on the forefront of Covid-19 community response leading hundreds of volunteers to support all residents.

Thank you for your consideration! 

Visit PinkCars.ca

Media Contact:
Mirja Raita
Executive Director
Mirja.Raita@volunteerconnect.ca

ORIENTATION TO VOLUNTEERING

FREE ONLINE COURSE! 

Wanting to give back during these times but unsure of what to expect? Sign up for this free course online.  

This course is a wonderful way to orientate new volunteers including newcomers, youth and/or to use to educate others in learning more about volunteering.  Please feel free to share!