National Volunteer Week honours Canadians who give back

Crystal Garrett learns about the impact of volunteers and the role they play in strengthening communities across Canada.

National Volunteer Week is honouring the contributions of volunteers across Canada from April 27 to May 3.

Ambuj Laroiya is a member of Volunteer Canada in Halifax. He said the message for volunteer week this year is an acknowledgement of every contribution, no matter how small.

“Just like how water changes its shape and changes everything when it flows, volunteers create those ripples and those waves.” Laroiya said. “We just want to thank them”

Laroiya’s own volunteer efforts are enormous. He started during the pandemic in response to isolation.

“I just wanted to be a part of the community and I wanted to feel like I have a sense of purpose,” he said.

The first organization Laroiya volunteered for was Halifax Pride. He and his wife also work with the Halifax Fridge.

“If anybody asks us for help, we’re just out there to help them.”

Laroiya said he embraces Ubuntu philosophy which emphasizes interconnectedness and the duty to give back, but research shows the benefits go beyond idealism.

“You get the helper’s high, which basically releases all those good enzymes in your brain, like dopamine and oxytocin,” he said. “It actually increases your mental health and your well-being.”

Volunteerism dipped across Canada during the pandemic and hasn’t recovered, said Laroiya.

“That’s where national volunteering week comes in,” he said. “We are using this week to thank the volunteers.”

Laroiya said they’re asking for feedback on the Volunteer Canada website to help them improve and motivate more people to contribute. He said volunteering can also be a springboard to a career.

“Volunteering is one of the most important ways where we can just go out and network.”

For people who want to get started, Laroiya said there are a lot of online resources, including Charity Village – a volunteer database that he used when he arrived in Canada.

“The first step is the easiest part.”

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