Province Celebrates Volunteers with 35th Annual Provincial Volunteer Awards

Seventy dedicated, hard-working community volunteers from across the province were honoured today, April 14, at the 35th annual Provincial Volunteer Awards.

Nova Scotia has 377,000 volunteers, the third-highest total, per capita, in Canada. The volunteers honoured today were nominated by their communities for giving time to a variety of causes, everything from search and rescue to youth programs and sports.

National Volunteer Week is April 19-25.

"Nova Scotia volunteers are involved in almost every part of life. Whether it's health, education, public safety, social services, sports or culture, our selfless volunteers give their time and talents to others," said Premier Rodney MacDonald.

"On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I'd like to thank volunteers for their hard work."

Volunteers' work is invaluable to communities, and to the province as a whole; it is estimated volunteers' time is worth $2 billion to the Nova Scotia economy. But volunteer numbers are shrinking. There were 30,000 fewer volunteers in the province between 1997 and 2000.

Minister of Volunteerism Pat Dunn urged Nova Scotians to find time in their busy schedules to give to a cause they believe in.

"We need volunteers. We can't afford to take them for granted," said Mr. Dunn, who volunteered for decades with youth.

"Even if you can only spare just an hour a week, it will make a difference."