What is volunteering?

Volunteering is giving your time, skills or expertise. There are many benefits to volunteering and we believe volunteering can be very satisfying at any time in your life. It can be customized to your interests, available time, and reasons for wanting to volunteer.

There are many opportunities in our Sunshine Coast community. We can suggest a variety of choices that will work for you, and we can help you connect to organizations and groups in the community.

Volunteering creates strong, healthy communities.

Get involved to make a difference.

Volunteer Opportunities July 2010

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity, you have come to the right place. Our members are looking for volunteers. Read through the list below to see if there is something that appeals to you. If you don't find something suitable, contact us and we'll help. 604-885-1036 or scvolunteer@dccnet.com
If you like, we can also keep your information on hand for when new volunteer opportunities arise.

The 23^th annual Hackett Park Craft Fair takes place on August 14 & 15. Support the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre by helping out at this event.

After a very succesful first year, the Sunshine Coast Fruit Tree Project is entering its second year and needs volunteers for picking, preserving and distributing fruit. Also needed are those who have fruit bearing trees and would like to donate some fruit!

Like gardening? The Community Gardens in Sechelt need tending and weeding. You can work at your leisure.

Are you patient and comfortable around children? A supportive community program is looking for a Children's Drop In Assistant.

The Sechelt Festival of the Arts would love to have you volunteer at the festival--July 30 to August 7. Many different positions available.

The Sechelt Downtown Business Association invites people to come out, help out and have fun at the Sechelt Night Markets on Thursday evenings.

Help Sunshine Coast Community Services raise money to enhance its programs! Volunteer at the Gibsons Thrift Shop as a Thrift Shop Associate.

For those who love outdoor art and want to part of a special summer event, the Synchronicity Festival on August 7 and 8 at deer crossing the art farm is looking for enthusiastic volunteers for box office duties, trail guides, parking attendance, postering and bartending.

Community foundation needs a board secretary to take minutes once a month Monday evenings and distribute them.

Capilano University is looking for tutors to help with improving the literacy and numeracy skills of adults or helping with English as a Second Language students.

Seniors Centre is looking for friendly folks who would like to volunteer in the following areas:
- kitchen servers
- special events helpers
- reception desk helpers
Membership to the Seniors Centre is a requirement for volunteers.

Meet people from all parts of the world and see lots of great art. Gibsons Public Art Gallery needs desk attendant to greet visitors and welcome them to the Gallery.

Would you like to share your managerial skills for a few hours each week? Thrift store needs supervisors for its volunteer staff.

Provide friendship and support to the elderly by visiting seniors in care homes and in their own homes.

Volunteer shoppers needed to take orders and fill grocery carts at Wilson Creek IGA.

The Sunshine Coast Conservation Association assists local conservation advocacy groups reach their goals. It also addresses major regional conservation and environmental concerns. Take an active role in this group and do your part to help the environment. They are looking for a managerial volunteer coordinator.

Sunshine Coast Bear Aware program is looking for dynamic people to offer information and advice to local residents on how to reduce human/bear conflicts.

Gibsons Paddle Club needs a volunteer to take minutes at executive meetings once every six weeks. Help is also needed to organize the Community Challenge Canoe Races for the Howe Sound Outrigger Race in July.

Visit with lots of cute babies! Gibsons Health Unit invites you to help out at weekly baby clinics and drop-ins.

Scouts Canada is looking for various volunteers within their programs. You can have fun reliving what you did as a child, sharing your own skills and hobbies, especially when it comes to outdoor activities...
    You can choose one of these ways to help...
                  being a kayak/canoe instructor,
                  being a hiking/camping instructor
                  leading crafts and games
                  helping youth complete activities so they can achieve Scouting awards
                  driving youth to camps on and off coast

If you are more inclined to work with adults, then you could assist the group commissioner with
administrative duties, or be a secretary/treasurer at monthly meetings.

Help with development, garden and farm upkeep, and website and database management on unique art farm in Gibsons.

Arts centre in Sechelt needs gallery sitters. Meet artists, visitors, and community membersduring a 2.5 hour shift, open Wednesday to Sunday.

Cooks and Servers are needed Fridays in Gibsons to help with the Salvation Army's Lunch and Friends program.

Habitat for Humanity needs your help in building affordable housing for families on the coast. There are many ways for you to volunteer:

Recycling team - Help sort refundables to raise money for Habitat projects. Drop-in or regular commitment on Tuesday & Friday mornings. Sechelt 8:30 am, Gibsons 10:00 am.
Be a driver for the recycling team. Drive the cube van between Wilson Creek and Extra Foods Tuesday and/or Friday morning.
ReStore - get experience in a retail hardware environment
Help on construction, landscaping, etc.
Facilitate a home ownership mentoring group.
Help a committee - coordinating events and volunteers, fundraising, etc.

More info at www.habitatsc.ca

The above list was updated on July 16th, 2010 and is valid until further notice...

Call Cathy or Tracy @ 604-885-1036 or email scvolunteer@dccnet.com

Sunshine Coast Volunteer Centre
a division of Sunshine Coast Community Services Society