APRIL 14-20, 2024

WHEREAS, 24 million Canadians give their time through formal or informal types of volunteering, contributing close to 5 billion volunteer hours per year; and

WHEREAS, volunteers in Thunder Bay mentor our children, support those feeling isolated, beautify our green spaces, and fundraise for our charitable organizations; and

WHEREAS, volunteers in Thunder Bay have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic to support families, friends, neighbors and strangers, people standing up to systemic racism, and people sharing insights on how to create a more just and equitable society; and

WHEREAS, Thunder Bay’s volunteers are individuals, families, workers, retirees, and community members of all ages and backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, the collective result of the work done by our city’s volunteers is that Thunder Bay is a more desirable place to live; and

WHEREAS, organizations in Thunder Bay that rely on volunteers include such fundamental organizations as The City of Thunder Bay, Salvation Army, Thunder Bay Military Family Resource, Children’s Aid Society, Wesway, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Volunteer Thunder Bay, and Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, to name a few; and

NOW THEREFORE, I, Ken Boshcoff, Mayor of Thunder Bay, do hereby proclaim April 14-20, 2024 as National Volunteer Week. I urge my fellow citizens to recognize the crucial role played by volunteers in our community.