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Media Releases 2005
VOLWEB.CATM TO REGISTER ONE MILLION VOLUNTEERS BY 2012
2010 Legacies Now officially launches new Volunteers Now program
Vancouver, B.C. (September 26, 2005): 2010 Legacies Now today unveiled an interactive online registration system for volunteers with a target of registering one million Canadians by 2012. The new program was unveiled at the launch of Volunteers Now – an initiative which will seek to develop sustainable legacies in the volunteer sector leading up to and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The launch event – entitled “Everyone has a Gift to Give” – was held this morning at Richmond City Hall Atrium and featured a number of prominent speakers and attendees, including the Honourable Linda Reid, Minister of State for Early Childhood Development, Marion Lay, President and CEO of 2010 Legacies Now, Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap, and five-time Olympian Charmaine Crooks.
“VolWeb.ca™ is an exciting new initiative that will help to capture the enthusiasm and excitement people have about the numerous events coming to British Columbia and Canada over the next few years,” said Marion Lay, President and CEO of 2010 Legacies Now.
The launch event featured a preview of VolWeb.ca™, which was developed by Volunteers Now in partnership with Volunteer BC, Sport Web Canada, and other volunteer organizations, to better attract and place volunteers.
“Volunteering is such an important part of B.C.’s high quality of life, both as it benefits the community and as it benefits the volunteers themselves. With major events like Grey Cup and the World Junior Hockey Championships fast approaching, there are more opportunities than ever for British Columbians to share their time and talent,” said the Honourable Olga Ilich, Minister Responsible for Volunteers. “VolWeb.ca™ is going to make the process of matching organizers and interested volunteers so much easier, and I wish Volunteers Now success in achieving their goal of recruiting one million volunteers by 2012.”
“As an Olympic athlete, I fully understand the important role volunteers play in helping to make community and sporting events a great success,” said Charmaine Crooks, five-time Olympic athlete and Honourary Ambassador for the Volunteers Now program. “With the overall rate of volunteerism on the decline throughout Canada, VolWeb.ca™ will play a crucial role in helping to reverse that trend over the long-term.”
VolWeb.ca™ will initially connect volunteers across British Columbia with organizers planning sporting and community events such as the Grey Cup, World Junior Hockey Championships and the Hyack Community Festival.
"The Grey Cup Committee in Vancouver is pleased to know they can link with VolWeb.ca™ as a unique way of locating the volunteers. Volunteers will make our Grey Cup events and celebrations events a great success,” said Scott Ackles, 2005 Grey Cup Organizing Committee, General Manager. “After the Grey Cup is over, there will be a great legacy of thousands of registered volunteers who may wish to participate in other events into the future.”
2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport & recreation, arts, literacy, and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities discover and create unique and inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to, during and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
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Media Contacts:
Daniel Fontaine
Director of Communications
2010 Legacies Now
604.839.8779
Ian Buckley
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
604.812.1394
