In the midst of Canada’s National Volunteer Week April 10-16, we take time to commemorate and give recognition to all of the amazing volunteers, who strive to improve our communities and commonwealth every day. Alumni Relations would like to give special thanks and commend all of the hard-working individuals who choose to contribute their time and talents to not only the University of Waterloo, but also to the Office of Advancement.
This year, Volunteer Canada has announced the theme, “volunteers are the roots of strong communities,” which could not be more true for volunteers in the Office of Advancement. For over thirty-five years, volunteers have been constantly supporting Advancement since it was established in 1980, and the numbers have since grown exponentially. In 2015, we have had 915 Advancement volunteers in eighteen different countries, which includes UWaterloo alumni, donors, students, and friends of the University. In the same year, these volunteers dedicated over 10,500 hours of their time, as well as coordinated and supported over sixty events world-wide.
In the department of Alumni Relations, our alumni volunteers are a fundamental component to each event, communication, and project, globally and locally that we do. Our volunteers represent us all over the world, interacting and engaging communities and networks, highlighting the University’s reputation and accomplishments and connecting with students. These committed volunteers have coordinated and hosted many successful events each every year and are constantly creating new connections in different cities and countries.
Across the University of Waterloo campus, there are also thousands of student volunteers who are collectively maintaining a thriving, lively experience for the entire student body. Whether it is devoting time to Orientation Week, participating in various clubs, or the Volunteer Centre, the UWaterloo student population is always involved and taking initiative in advancing the University. Additionally, not only are the University’s alumni and students impacting their communities, the faculty and staff are also involved in numerous campaigns and charities throughout the year. Through on-campus events, such as the Staff and Faculty BBQ or Treat-a-grams sent near Valentine’s Day, UWaterloo faculty and staff volunteers have continuously devoted their time to raise more than $1 million annually for the Keystone campaign, which supports the University’s research initiatives, academic programs, and student scholarships. Along with small events, potlucks, auctions and more, the UWaterloo community has raised over $250,000 in the past year in support of United Way Kitchener-Waterloo and Area, an annual campaign the University has participated in since 1983.
UWaterloo volunteers are spread out across our campus, and throughout the entire world. Our alumni, donors, students, faculty, and staff are the roots of the UWaterloo community, and build a culture of philanthropy on and off campus. During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate all of our charitable volunteers, who unceasingly donate their time and support, without you nothing would be possible, thank you.
To learn more about how the University of Waterloo is celebrating National Volunteer Week, visit our Storify.
