Time to acknowledge volunteers

THIS year National Volunteer Week will be celebrated from 11-17 May.
Every day around the country, people are giving of their time and skills to assist organisations that are trying to make a difference for their chosen cause.
At Animal Aid, we are so grateful to our volunteers.
Their contributions as board members, working at our Coldstream, Bairnsdale and Sale shelters, as well as our opportunity shops in Blackburn, Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and Croydon South, play a huge part in why we are the organisation we are today.
In Australia, we are known to have a culture of giving, measured by our propensity to donate money, volunteer or simply provide help to someone who needs it whether they are known to us or not.
It is said that the three main reasons that people volunteer are:
Self-serving – because they want to help/give
Social – to be part of something/a friend asked them to
Belief – passion for the cause
Other reasons are as basic and practical as seeing what a work place is like, volunteer experience looks good on your resume and to gain work experience.
Volunteering is a two-way street; charities reap the rewards of their participation while the volunteers gain a truckload of feel good perks along the way.
It brings people together and helps to foster social inclusion and provides opportunities to make new friends and gain new skills. Volunteers and donors are definitely the lifeblood of Animal Aid and they help keep the shelter doors open for thousands of needy animals each year.
With around 450 active volunteers and a volunteer to staff ratio of 9:1, volunteers provide around 60,000 man hours to Animal Aid each year, a huge contribution.
They have such a positive impact every day. We acknowledge the commitment they have and appreciate their dedication and incredible generosity.
So whatever the reason people choose to volunteer, at Animal Aid we are truly grateful that they do, because we can’t do without them.