First-Time Readers Newsletter - April 2001

First-Time Readers		April 2001

May 15 is Census Day

Count Yourself In!

Every five years, the Government of Canada counts the people who live in this country. This count is called a Census. The next Census will be done on May 15 of this year.

A week or so before May 15, a census worker will come to your home. The worker will give you a yellow envelope and a form. This form is a questionnaire. It will contain such questions as, What is your name? What is your date of birth? What language do you speak? Your answers will be kept private. No one is allowed to see them. The census worker is not allowed to reveal your answers.

It is important that you answer all of the questions on May IS. If you need help answering the questions, there is a toll free number you can call. This number is 1-800-591-2001. People with a hearing problem and TTY can call 1-877-881-8301, also at no charge.

It is important for everyone to fill in the questionnaire. The information you give will help government plan such things as hospitals, schools, fire departments, and community programs. After you have completed the questionnaire, please put in the envelope and mail it.

The following story was written by Anthony Blake of Marystown. Anthony is a student at the Laubach Centre in Marystown. He writes about a very important subject. Volunteer work is very important in every community. Many people rely on volunteers for support. Volunteers play an important role in every community.

My Volunteer Work

I like volunteer work. It helps people out. I have been volunteering my time for many years. I started when I was in the hospital in St. John's. When the hospital had socials, I used to help out by setting up the tables and cleaning up the garbage after. Now that I live in Marystown, I volunteer at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. I cut up rags. The rags are sold to garages. Some days I go in the afternoon and I don't come home until three o'clock. I plan to keep volunteering because it helps pass away the time and it helps others.