Need for programs and services increases significantly

It is the time of year, where we ask for support through the gift of monetary donations and or giving of your time to ensure the longevity of essential programs and services offered throughout Hastings Prince Edward. We are seeing a significant increase in the need for programs and services across all communities. This holiday season offers the opportunity to get involved.

Our database contains over 400 volunteer opportunities, others may choose to give monetary donations no gift is too small.

Our local United Way Campaign is in full gear, they provide support & funding to more than 51 local agencies and 93 programs. Choosing a cause is a personal choice and on Tuesday, November 29 we celebrate Giving Tuesday. This is a global movement for giving and volunteering, that takes place each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is considered the “Opening day of the giving season,” this is a time when charities, companies and individuals of all groups, join together and rally for their favourite causes.

Some volunteer opportunities to choose from include:

Links to Learning is seeking volunteer for their tutoring programs. Volunteers assist children with reading following a set curriculum. Tutoring takes place Monday and Tuesday from 4:306:30 p.m. Training is provided onsite, highs school students are welcome.

Quinte West Warming Centre is currently seeking volunteers to assist with a variety of positions from mid December to mid March. Volunteer positions include acting as a host to individuals attending the facility, greeting them ensuring they have access to warm drink and snacks and providing information as requested, Volunteers to assist with the setup of venue, Volunteers to pick up donations at various locations in the community. We will also be creating a list of on call volunteers for those unable to commit to a set schedule. Training and orientation are provided.

Catherine's Kitchen is seeking volunteer for their Donation Stations Volunteers would be responsible for monitoring donation station boxes at various sites around the Quinte West region-shifts will be scheduled for two hours. We encourage youth to volunteer in pairs/with an adult of 18 years and older. Families are welcome.

Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to assist at the annual Kettle Campaign. Shifts are two hours, kettles are located inside various businesses throughout Belleville and Prince Edward County. Volunteer duties include greeting individuals with a smile and overseeing the kettle. Volunteer is pairs, youth are welcome and help make a difference in your community.

Community Development Council is seeking volunteer drivers and drivers assistant for the Good Food Box Program. Duties include picking up items, loading donations, delivering food boxes to specified destinations. Volunteers must be able to lift 50 lbs and drivers are required to provide a drivers abstract. Training provided on site.

Quinte West Youth Centre is seeking a Volunteer Chef. Volunteer Chef will be in charge of the What's Cooking program. This program provides youth with a healthy and nutritious meal during operation hours. Chef will also teach one or two youth at a time how to cook the designated meal. Chef will be required to be at the centre from 4-6 p.m. Duties also include Meal Prep and Cleaning.

Regent Theatre located in Picton are looking for people to help around the theatre with odd jobs. That include ticket sales, ushering, scanning and providing direction to attendees and concession stand. If you're interested in getting involved but aren't quite sure what you want to be doing, this is the place to apply. High school students are welcome.

Reaching for Rainbows located in Picton is currently seeking volunteers to assist by spending a few hours a week to support programming. Duties include engaging in conversation, reading singing, preparing snacks and playing games with young girls attending the program. Volunteers held support positive directions and fun.

VON Meals on Wheels requires volunteer drivers and passengers who will deliver meals to clients. Volunteer a minimum of once a week for an hour on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and noon. Drivers are also required for their Transportation program both local and long-distance routes.

National Air Force Museum of Canada is seeking Volunteer Visitor Hosts, and gift shop support duties include greet and introduce visitors to the museum, interact with the visitors, provide direction, answer exhibit related questions, ensure visitors follow basic museum rules and provide customer service support in gift shop.

Volunteer & Information HPE refers volunteers to more than 275 agencies throughout Hastings and Prince Edward counties. We are currently recruiting volunteers to fulfil the needs of our community. Please contact 613-969-8862 or visit our website at www.viq.ca for more information volunteer opportunities. THE RIGHT PERSON, THE RIGHT PLACE, THE RIGHT TIME. Volunteer & Info HPE is a United Way HPE Member Agency.