The need for volunteers for social service agencies came into sharp focus during pandemic restrictions.
At Thursday’s launch of the annual Timmins fundraising and employee contribution campaign, United Way North East Ontario announced an initiative to help.
Regional manager Jennifer Gorman says launching October 1st is an online resource called cochraneandtimiskamingvolunteerresourcecentre.ca .
“That will allow volunteers to sign up and scout all of the volunteer opportunities available,” Gorman explained “That will allow agencies to sign up, so they can put their profile, they can put all of their opportunities.”
The service is free to any non-profit.
Gorman adds that a physical location for the resource centre will open in Timmins no later than November.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYERS
Industry – employers in general – are the backbone for United Way North East Ontario to provide funding for social services in Cochrane and Timiskaming Districts.
At its fundraising kickoff morning, Shellie Lacoste of Newmont Porcupine said the mining company makes a donation every year, and matches employee contributions.
“The company matches pledges dollar for dollar” she pointed out,” making the total donation to the United Way close to $100,000 every year.”
Lacoste says Newmont has been a United Way partner for almost 40 years.