Hamilton Celebrates Volunteerism
National Volunteer Week (April 6-12) was established in 1974 to celebrate the 13.3 million people doing remarkable service throughout Canada. This week focuses attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership and duty. National Volunteer Week draws the support and endorsement of the Prime Minister as well as all levels of Federal, Provincial and Municipal government, corporations and charitable organizations across the country. It allows us to share our vision and stories and to re-ignite the concept of citizenship in the 21st century.
On April 7, 2014, The Hamilton Area Ministries of The Salvation Army held a volunteer appreciation dinner at Meadowlands Church. Our special guests were Majors Morris & Wanda Vincent, Divisional Commander and Divisional Director for Women’s Ministries, and Major Pat Phinney, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations & Development. Each ministry unit invited twenty of their valuable volunteers and demonstrated appreciation through speeches, music, multimedia and awards.
Dan Millar, Area Director or Public Relations and Development, welcomed the guests and spoke of the incredible 1.4 million hours volunteers gave to the Salvation Army across Canada in 2013. Major Pat Phinney and Major Morris Vincent spoke to the volunteers and congratulated them on their many efforts, faithful service and dedication to The Salvation Army. Entertainment was provided by Colonel Robert Ward on piano prior to the dinner and Major Brad Donais and his sons, brought two vocal items during the program.
The highlight of the night was the presentation of the Applause Awards. Each year, every ministry unit selects a volunteer that has portrayed zeal, passion, commitment and enthusiastic diligence to be their Applause Award winner. Major Morris Vincent had the honour to introduce, congratulate, and take photos with this year’s recipients of the Applause Awards. The award winners displayed the very best in volunteering, some of them lending their time for well over 20 years with the Salvation Army
The Hamilton Area Ministry Units are very proud and thankful for all of their volunteers. They selflessly give of themselves to promote goodness, improve the quality of human life and bring hope and dignity to the marginalized members of our community.
A video created in Hamilton that celebrates Volunteerism and which was presented at the event can be viewed on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5av4tZjC54&feature=youtu.be
For more information on volunteering with The Salvation Army visit the national web site volunteer page at https://salvationarmy.ca/volunteer/
