United Way puts spotlight on its 600 volunteers

Ellen Barnett, Volunteer Spirit award winner (Stratford and Area), with Sonya Heyen, United Way senior manager of resource development and communications, at the Spirit of Community Celebration on April 2. Barnett is just one of the volunteers United Way Perth-Huron is thanking during this year’s National Volunteer Week.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In the Perth-Huron region about 600 people volunteer with the local United Way – and for National Volunteer Week from April 19-25, the organization is recognizing and thanking them.

“We’re grateful for all our volunteers,” said Ryan Erb, executive director of United Way Perth-Huron, in a media release. “They make an impact in so many ways including helping with events, inspiring colleagues in their workplaces to give and sitting on our board and committees. We thank everyone who supports us by giving their time to our work across Perth-Huron.”

Chad Alberico, manager of communications, added that United Way has been incredibly blessed by the calibre and dedication of its volunteers.

“We have a lot of volunteers who have been very loyal to United Way and have really stuck with us,” Alberico said. “I mean, obviously, we just came out of a really great campaign, and donors have been amazing as well. But we really find that our volunteers have really stayed with us and they're willing to help us (in) whatever way they can, to make sure that we're able to keep our work going in the community.”

For National Volunteer Week, the United Way is also reflecting on the recent Spirit of Community Celebration on April 2, which officially capped last year’s annual United For Good campaign. At the event, the organization also recognized a group of dedicated volunteers from across Perth-Huron who did amazing work in their communities: Ellen Barnett, Beth Blowes, Gwen Bradley, Sarah Bussey, Sally Desjardine, Karen Dickins, Patti Fievoli, Bernice Glenn, Wendy Hutton, Andrea Loohuizen, Nick Skinner, Tom Soltys, Terri Sparling and Denise Winger.

“It's always nice to have an opportunity to thank the people that help us be as successful as we are,” Alberico said. “…So much of their work is unseen. And of course, we also have our two highest profile volunteers, which are our campaign co-chairs, and in this case, it was John Wolfe and Kristin Sainsbury. So we also got a chance to thank them for their two years as co-chairs and really being the faces of our organization out in the public and helping advocate for us. So it's always a great opportunity to say thank you.”

For anyone interested in volunteering with United Way, Alberico said it is never too late to reach out – and that the organization is always looking for more people to assist.

“Don't be afraid to reach out and find out about it. We always welcome people. If they're interested, they can certainly give the office a call at our main number 519-271-7730, that's a great way to start a conversation. Or if you happen to be in the neighborhood, you can also drop in to our offices on Erie Street.

“We welcome volunteers,” Alberico continued. “… Whatever time they can give us, we appreciate it. It can be a much more intensive role, like if you're sitting on the board of directors, for example, or a committee, it will probably require more of your time. But if you just want to help with an event … we are open to whatever people are willing to give us. We appreciate it.”