Volunteers are at the root of building strong communities. This year, our theme for National Volunteer Week reminds us to celebrate the profound and lasting impact that MS Society Volunteers have on our communities. Our 13,500 volunteers are an exciting, dynamic and diverse group of people who give selflessly of their time and talents in the fight to end MS.
Actively engaged in being the change they want to see in the world, volunteers give us the capacity to expand our services and help more people than we could ever dream of reaching on our own. Whether they are chapter board members representing their communities, MS ambassadors who lobby the government for policy change, event day volunteers who fundraise those much-needed dollars required to make our mission come to life – we are so humbled and grateful by all our volunteers as they stand with us to strengthen our cause and help find a cure for MS and improve the lives of those living with the disease.
It may not seem like much, but the simple act of sharing a Facebook post counts – in its own way – as volunteering. That one click is a small way of driving a massive movement towards raising awareness about MS. Our Flee or Fight campaign garnered thousands of views across the country and ignited a fire that inspired Canadians to take action to end MS. And it was all thanks to you!
Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world. Thousands of people just like you are seeing how important this message is and are taking a moment to share it – creating a virtual megaphone calling for change.
We are so incredibly lucky to work alongside more than 1000 volunteers on our event committees across the country. People from all walks of life – from retirees to newly graduated students – are working tirelessly to open doors to new sponsorships, to bring fresh ideas to the table and to help us plan the best possible events. These volunteers offer us valuable insight and enthusiastic support, and are our trusted sounding board for new ideas and initiatives.
Every person brings something new to the table, and all of your contributions to the cause are meaningful to us. That is why we work closely with our new volunteers to determine the best role for them. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, make some new friends, gain a little confidence, or get that warm & fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing you’ve truly helped someone who is struggling – every little bit counts in the fight to improve the lives of Canadians affected by MS.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who has ever been involved with us in the past, to all of the wonderful people currently working with us, and to the future generation of team fight. I know I speak on behalf of everyone here at MS Society of Canada when I say: it is a pleasure to work with you and we hope you share our pride in all that we’ve been able to accomplish!
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is a volunteer organization: founded by volunteers and continually fuelled by the initiative and dedication of thousands of volunteers across the country. Find out how you can get involved in the fight to end MS here.