April 21 to 27 is National Volunteer Week in Canada, a week when Vancouver Coastal Health volunteers step into the spotlight as we celebrate their contributions to health care.
Every year across our Vancouver Community of Care, volunteers take action by providing service to more than 125 programs in acute, residential and community settings. Their ages and backgrounds are diverse, but they share a common passion for contributing to the community in which they live, work and go to school.
This past year alone, our dedicated volunteers have collectively provided more than 100,000 hours of service and they’ve positively impacted the lives of so many … from assisting 147,000 VGH visitors find their destination, shopping for 4,300 grocery orders for homebound seniors, assisting at 1,700 child health clinic and parent infant drop-in sessions, sharing thousands of visits with patients, residents and clients, to helping raise more than $200,000 by volunteering in our gift shop and thrift shop.
On behalf of our leadership team, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our 1800-plus volunteers. Please join us in recognizing those who share their time and skills so generously. When you see a VCH volunteer this week – or any week, for that matter – please take a moment to thank them for all they do.