Many people throughout Canada volunteer. On average, Canadians volunteer 191 hours per year. That is equal to 578,000 full-time jobs. Volunteers get a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction in helping others. Most volunteers feel that they get more from the experience then they give. Volunteering does not have to cost money, your time and energy is all that is required. Some people volunteer at their church, others volunteer at their local library. Many parents volunteer in schools in their communities. Most communities have volunteer fire departments. There are many ways you can help others in your community by volunteering. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you need to think about what you have to offer. Answering the following questions may give you some idea if you want to become a volunteer.

These are just some of the things you can ask yourself. After answering these questions you may feel that you do have something to offer. Should you decide to volunteer, your local town council may be a good place to find out what volunteer agencies operate in your community. They should have a list of groups who need help. Most churches, schools, and service clubs will also be able to suggest people or groups that need help. It is a good idea to start out with a small project or commitment. You will quickly learn that there are many groups that need help, it is important to become involved in one that you enjoy. You can experiment by helping a number of groups before deciding which service you enjoy most. Volunteering should not be viewed as a chore, but an experience you enjoy!