To the Editor:
The Canadian Red Cross is celebrating National Volunteer Week thanks the more than 20,000 volunteers who deliver programs and services across the country. In Saskatchewan, 538 volunteers were active this year, assisting thousands of people in need through the delivery of much needed assistance in disaster relief and recovery, violence and abuse prevention education, and injury prevention.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Red Cross and serve at all levels of the organization. I am continually impressed, not only by the dedication and compassion of our volunteers, but also by the skills and experience they bring to the Red Cross. We are very fortunate to have so many high caliber volunteers providing leadership and service; we would not be able to help so many people in need without them.
As the world's largest humanitarian movement, the Red Cross/Red Crescent has close to 100 million volunteers in 187 countries around the world. Canadian Red Cross volunteers have worked as part of this movement for more than 100 years and continue to provide community-base services and assistance while also supporting the larger international movement through disaster appeals, and health and development programs.
Volunteer opportunities exist at all levels of the Canadian Red Cross and suit a variety of interests, availability, skills and experience. From local program delivery to disaster response, there are a wide range of volunteer positions that provide a meaningful way for people to help improve the lives of vulnerable people. For current volunteer opportunities, visit www.redcross.ca.
Rebecca Benko, Operations Manager for the Red Cross in Saskatchewan.
