Community needs a whole new generation of volunteers
TORONTO (Wednesday, May 11, 2011) – A whole new generation of volunteers is required to ensure the needs of an aging society are met. In response, Toronto Public Library, in partnership with Volunteer Toronto, is hosting an event for Boomers and Beyond to help match enthusiastic volunteers with causes they support and who desperately need their skills and dedication.
The Volunteer Fair will be held on Friday, May 27 from 11:00 – 4:30 pm at Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street (north of Bloor Street). Along with an exhibition of over 30 organizations actively recruiting volunteers, the event will include a number of presentations, including one from the Ontario Health Study, the biggest community-based health study ever done in Ontario, and one of the biggest in the world.
“Baby boomers are a huge and diverse group,” said Toronto Public Library’s Senior Services Specialist Laura Arrizza. “They represent a variety of life stages, interests and experiences and skills. Volunteering can take many forms and fit any schedule; can be on-going or short-term, front line help or behind-the-scenes, from home, online, or out in the community.”
“There’s something for everyone,” Arrizza added.
Organizations and groups at the event cover a wide variety of interests including environmental and special interest, health, literacy and learning, entertainment and cultural, seniors’ services and shelter and housing. Participating groups include Toronto Public Library, High Park Nature Centre, Toronto Green Community, Live Green Toronto, Second Mile Club, St. Clair West Services for Seniors, Central Eglinton Community Centre, Circle of Care, St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre, Centre for Inquiry Ontario, Second Mile Club of Toronto, Belmont House, SPRINT, Luminato, City of Toronto Special Events, Community Living Ontario, Toronto Council on Aging, Alexandra Park Neighborhood Learning Centre, Aphasia Institute, St. Christopher House, Heart & Stroke Foundation, and University Health Network, and many more.
Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 18 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow more than 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.
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Media Contact:
Anne Marie Aikins, Manager, Community Relations, 416-393-7212 media@torontopubliclibrary.ca