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.

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!

Volunteers at Volunteer Markham

The Value of One, The Power of Many!

The value of one person who desires to help another inspires others and has the power to create positive change!  Volunteer Markham is a small organization run largely through the efforts of many volunteers.  Learn a little more about why they do what they do.

Judy Zon, Board Chair“Volunteering has always been a part of my life, from helping out at my kids’ school, working with health charities to more formal volunteer work on non-profit boards.  I can’t imaging not volunteering because I know that volunteers contribute so much to our community.  Sometimes my volunteering efforts are small and time-limited and other times I have been part of large projects or long term efforts.  It doesn’t really matter because I know that without volunteers many things would not happen.  The obvious personal impact is the satisfaction I have from knowing that I am giving back, but I gain so much more.

My experiences in volunteering have provided me with the opportunity to expand my horizons, learn  new skills, be a leader and meet some awesome people.  Volunteering can be fun but sometimes it is hard work.  Overall, the rewards clearly outweigh the challenges.  I am grateful for the opportunity to volunteer.”

Aakash Talreja, Marketing CommitteeVolunteering has always given me the opportunity to be part of a larger cause and think bigger than myself.  

I’ve always had a hard time making friends and volunteering continues to give me the opportunity to connect with like minded people from all walks of life and forge relationships worth a lifetime.”

Pooja Parmar, Change the World Youth Ambassador “I volunteer because I want to know that I am able to make a change in my community with my actions.  Every step I take leads to the making of something important.  I enjoy helping out within  my community to make it a better place.  Volunteering is something that is important to me because it brings me closer to my community!”

  

 

National Volunteer Week

The Value of One, The Power of Many

April 18-24, 2021

The National Volunteer Week theme for 2021, The Value of One, The Power of Many, reflects on the awe-inspiring acts of kindness by millions of individuals AND the magic that happens when we work together towards a common purpose. This past year, we have seen people supporting family, friends, neighbours, and strangers, people standing up to systemic racism, and people sharing insights on how to create a more just and equitable society.  We recognize the value of the caring and compassion that each one has shown another, and we recognize the power of people, organizations, and sectors working together.  

#VolunteersBringChange in many ways so what does the “The Value of One, The Power of Many” mean to you?”

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate, recognize and thank volunteers, and to create awareness for the important work millions do 
across Canada!

VOLUNTEER MARKHAM’S FIRST EVER

Goodbye Winter Online Auction Has Ended and was a Huge Success!

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS AND BIDDERS!

Volunteer Markham’s Goodbye Winter Auction is now over.  Warm wishes and great appreciation to everyone who supported us in this event.  With your support we successfully surpassed our goal and made many new friends. 

Reach out, stay connected and let’s continue to build our communities together.

 

Services

    • Interior design consultation
    • Arts courses for kids and adults
    • Income tax personal return preparation
    • Technology/computer networking/telecom related consultations
    • LinkedIn tips and advice
    • Financial Plan / Estate Plan Review
    • Graphic design consultation

Education and Career Planning

    • Resume and cover letter preparation
    • Tutoring
    • Career and Education Planning
  • Art
    •  Photographs
    • Artwork
    • Cartoon style computer caricature
  • Sports

    • Kayaking experience
    • Paddling Experience (SUP, OC1, OC2)
    • Gym membership
    • Tennis membership
    • Yoga classes on Zoom
    • Personal Trainer

Clothing

    • Heated gloves
    • Lap quilt
    • Hair accessories
    • Hand knit baby blankets 
  • Food and spirits
    • Wine
    • Pet food
    • Dental basket
    • Hemp superfoods
    • Beer

Dental

    • Orthodontic procedures ($2,500 off)
    • Dental whitening
    • Electric toothbrush
    • Dental care pack
  • Gift cards
    • Canadian Tire
    • Apple iTunes
    • Keg Restaurants
    • Amazon
    • TLC Pet Food
    • Walmart

Other

    • Lego sets
    • Jewellery
    • Crystal Wine Glasses

PINK CARS -Volunteers needed to ensure seniors get vaccinated!

PinkCars

Volunteer Markham and PinkCars.ca are working together to  provide seniors with assistance booking their vaccination appointments and transportation.  Through the passion of volunteers and a desire to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are protected quickly, PinkCars was launched.  Together we will ensure that we are able to provide as much assistance as possible to seniors that are in need of support. 

We need YOU!  For more information or to sign up as a driver visit:

Pinkcars.ca or sign up as a Volunteer Driver here

Read our story here in the Markham Review

Volunteer Centres – An Untapped Resource OPEN LETTER

On Labour Day, September 7th, Volunteer Markham joined Volunteer Centres across Canada in publishing a co-authored open letter to advocate for the essential and critical role of volunteers and the systems that enable them.

It is a critical time now to to be aware of the services and supports your Volunteer Centre provides. Every single Canadian benefits from the contribution of volunteers. Together we will recover.

Click here to read the letter.

COVID 19 – HOW AND WHERE YOU CAN HELP!

In today’s unprecedented environment, with the world in a State of Emergency, there are always communities and individuals ready and willing to help. In a pandemic, this becomes even more challenging when we cannot physically get together. Communities, organizations and individuals are all responsible to be diligent at Social Distancing. This is taking ACTION! This is making a difference!

There are new and emerging ways that individuals can contribute and an increasing need for support now, and in the near future, to ensure the health of our communities, charities and non-profits. As many organizations work through how to protect their communities safely and responsibly, we all need to remain patient and understanding. There are numerous resources available at Volunteer Canada https://volunteer.ca for both organizations and volunteers.

Volunteer Markham is here to help connect you to needed support! Please review the following list of ways to make a difference locally!

SCOUTS CANADA is still scouting and currently recruiting for Group Leaders! Please review their website at https://www.scouts.ca/volunteer/overview.html and/or email daisy.gao@scouts.ca for more information on how to volunteer.

Markham Cares Food Drive: Donate food items at any Markham Fire Station or at Longos, No Frills, Fresh Co, Whole Food Market. For more information click on https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home

Canada Sews – York Region:  This wonderful community initiative in Markham has grown to support all of York Region.  On April 21, 2020 8,000 ladies and gents across Canada have sewn more than 20,000 face masks, headbands, scrub caps and scrub bags for frontline workers, shelters, seniors and First Nations communities.  Volunteers are sewing, delivering, donating materials and helping to administer to help our community stay as safe as possible.  If you would like to help or are a frontline worker in need of any of these items please email canadasews.markham@gmail.com .  For more information click on https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadasewsmarkham/

CHATS: We know seniors are experiencing new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but CHATS is here to help. CHATS have adapted some of their existing supports and have come up with some new ways to help. Urgently needs Personal Protective Equipment. Call 905-713-6596 to learn more about Telephone Socials, Telephone Security Checks and Visits, Meals on Wheels, Supports for Caregivers and how you can help. Please consider donating to CHATS. CHATS is in urgent need for Personal Protection Equipment for their front line workers. http://www.chats.on.ca

KIDS Help Phone needs you!  You can practice social distancing and still ensure that you are helping kids when kids need someone.  For three decades, young people have been reaching out to Kids Help Phone for the support they need.  In 2018, in partnership with Crisis Text Line, Kids Help Phone launched the first ever 24/7, free, nationwide texting service. Through Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone, young people can chat confidentially with trained, volunteer Crisis Responders.  Learn how to volunteer and/or support Kids Help Phone now at https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-involved/participate/call-volunteers-crisis-text-line/ 

Markham Stouffville Hospital: Urgently needs Personal Protective Equipment . Click https://www.helpmsh.ca/ for more information (including how to create or support an online fundraiser).

Mon Sheong Foundation: Urgently needs Personal Protective Equipment (Level 2 Masks, masks with face shields, washable gowns, disposable gowns). Visit http://www.monsheong.org for various ways of giving or email samanthaho@monsheong.org.

Nanny Angel Network: Volunteers Needed. Volunteer support has been moved to a virtual opportunity to help mothers with cancer and their children. Email:
volunteer@nannyangelnetwork.com to learn more or to help.

Participation House “Making life better for people with disabilities”: Volunteers are needed to do grocery shopping for essential items. They have 4 locations in Markham for drop off  https://participationhouse.net/   Please email prerna.mehta@participationhouse.net

Yellow Brick House: Emergency Shelter is remaining operational as an essential service. Please visit https://www.yellowbrickhouse.org/ and review their “Wish List”. All donated items must be new.

Please remember, there are many ways to give!

You can donate financially to a charity of choice at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/

You can donate blood. Learn more at http://www.blood.ca

You can write letters or draw pictures for seniors or health care workers! Once completed you could snap a picture and email it to mirja.raita@volunteerconnect.ca

Currently, there is an emerging request for sewers to create “at home” face masks (not to be substituted for the PPE requirements for front line workers) for individual use. For more information on how to make these masks or where you can donate them please contact mirja.raita@volunteerconnect.ca

You NEED to stay safe, stay informed and stay connected!

Together we will get through this!