The 2025 Durham Region MS Walk takes place Sunday May 25th at 11:00 at Kiwanis Heydenshore Park and Pavilion.  MS Walk is a one-day event happening in over 50 in-person locations in Canada where people impacted by multiple sclerosis come together. Whether you live with MS or know someone who does, MS Walk is a place to forge meaningful connections and build lifelong relationships that bring us closer toward a world free of MS. 

Every May, tens of thousands of Canadians come together in their communities to participate, fundraise and volunteer. On Sunday, May 25, bring your friends, family, and/or coworkers together for a day of meaningful action. Your support is key in our road to a brighter future for people living with MS.  

These events would not be possible without the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers donating their time. There are various areas on site (event set up/wrap up, parking guide, participant check in area, checkpoint attendants, route marshal’s, food & beverage area, kids activity area, start/finish line cheer squad, volunteer check in) where volunteer help is needed to ensure that this event runs smoothly and participants have a great experience.

Thinking about volunteering?  Here’s what we are looking for:   

• Do you have a positive attitude and enjoy bringing positive energy to events?
• Are you passionate about supporting the MS community?
• Are you a self-motivated and reliable person?
• Are you willing to fulfill volunteering duties on time?
• Are you keen to attend the event in person on Sunday, May 25 for anywhere between 2 hours-8 hours?

If you answered ‘yes’ to the above, we’d love to hear from you!

Why Volunteer?

“As a volunteer with MS Canada I’ve deepened my appreciation for advocacy, teamwork, and community involvement. These values have been integral throughout my academic journey and continue to significantly shape my professional development as a medical student.”  -Amy

By joining MS Walk you become part of something bigger. To sign up today and support people living with MS, please contact: Karli Cowden at karli.cowden@mscanada.ca or visit our volunteer website to view all the role descriptions and apply directly: 

https://mscanada.ca/volunteer-opportunities-campaign?name=2025-walk-ont-durham-region&id=701JR00000JSU10YAH

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MS Canada is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture where people from all backgrounds can thrive.

Our aim is to ensure that all those interested in joining our team are given equal opportunity and that our organization is representative of all sections of society. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

We are committed to accommodating applicants’ needs throughout the selection process. Please contact volunteer@mscanada.ca should you need accommodation.

To learn more about MS Canada and the great work that we do, we encourage you to visit www.mscanada.ca.

What is the event?
The Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure is a 5k or 1k walk or run. It is the largest single-day, volunteer-led event in Canada in support of the breast cancer cause. This year’s event will be taking place on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Committee Member Overview:
You are passionate about the breast cancer cause, well-connected in your community, and enjoy event planning. The ideal candidate for this volunteer role has a positive attitude, communication and interpersonal skills, and a strong sense of self-motivation and time management.

We are recruiting for the following volunteer committee roles:
Community Outreach Lead
Run Day experience Lead
Site Lead
Route Lead
Sponsorship Lead

The ideal candidates for these volunteer roles have:
- A positive attitude
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- A strong sense of self-motivation and time management.
- Must be 18+ to apply and complete the Canadian Cancer Society code of conduct.

Your commitment:
- This is a 6-month commitment (May through October).
- Attending local committee meetings (generally bi-weekly to monthly).
- Independent role work/responsibilities (approx. 4-6 hours per month with increased workload August & September).
- Must be available in-person over the event weekend (October 4 & October 5).

Assist with tasks that are part of a special event at WindReach Farm * greet guests, help visitors to park, registration * handle cash * oversee craft area * animal assistance * food preparation & serving * assist where needed

SEND SMILES AND SUNSHINE: BECOME A VOLUNTEER LETTER-WRITER TODAY!
Are you passionate about spreading joy and brightening someone's day? Do you enjoy writing friendly letters and want to join a virtual project? Are you looking for a team project or a meaningful event activity? Become a volunteer and make a meaningful difference for seniors in care homes and programs locally and across Canada.
WHAT WE DO
We’re a volunteer-run organization sending cheerful, personal, one-of-a-kind handwritten letters to seniors in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia. Since April 2020, we’ve delivered joy in over 30 languages worldwide!
WHAT WE OFFER
➙ A chance to brighten a senior’s day.
➙ Flexible volunteering from anywhere, anytime, year-round.
➙ Community service hour verification for students (separate registration required).
➙ Tips for writing meaningful letters.
➙ An inclusive environment welcoming all ages and abilities.
IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR VOLUNTEERS
➙ Write friendly, one-of-a-kind letters addressed to a “Friend.”
➙ Mail your letters to our partner facilities.
➙ Commit to a destination facility only after your letters are ready to mail.
➙ Facilities list refreshes every two weeks with new requests.
➙ Expenses include postage, writing materials, and envelopes (send multiple letters in one envelope to save on postage).
➙ Not a pen pal program—most seniors cannot reply.
➙ LAI has no staff, physical office or phone.
 Please email volunteer Lindsay for support.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
➙ Commit to writing letters regularly. Quality over quantity.
➙ Share personal stories to make your letters unique.
➙ Avoid sensitive topics like religion, health, politics and holidays.
➙ Focus on positivity and connection.
➙ Write in English or 30+ other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese or Russian.
➙ Handcrafted cards are welcome but not required. Your handwritten message matters most!
➙ Organize group letter-writing activities or events with friends, coworkers, schools or libraries.
➙ Spread the word to friends, family and local senior centers.
➙ Connect with us on LinkedIn or Instagram.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US
➙ Send smiles to seniors who may be feeling isolated or lonely.
➙ Be part of a compassionate, inclusive community.
➙ Experience the satisfaction of knowing your words make a difference.
GET STARTED
➙ Visit https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/ and choose INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, EDUCATOR or STUDENT registration.
➙ Students seeking service credit: Review our guidelines, complete the student registration form and submit photos of your letters for verification. Earn one hour of credit for every four approved letters.
➙ Contact Lindsay if you have any questions.
Join us in spreading kindness and smiles to senior citizens. Your words will make all the difference!

EmpowHER is a dynamic leadership and mentorship program designed to equip young women and LGBTQ2+ individuals (ages 12–30) with the skills, networks, and opportunities to excel in their chosen fields. This hybrid program (both virtual and in-person) provides hands-on experiences with civic action.

EmpowHER is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected refugees who are passionate about civic engagement and making a meaningful impact in their communities. Participants will engage in real-world projects, leadership training, and mentorship opportunities that foster growth and empowerment.

Are you 13-18 years old? Do you care about the environment? Join ER Teens: a remote & flexible volunteer program! Earth Rangers is looking for teens across Canada to get involved in environmental action, wherever you live. Our ER Teens program lets you volunteer for the environment by doing an eco-action project of your choice. We’ll help you complete an initiative that makes a difference and helps you develop skills in leadership, communication, and time management. You’ll earn volunteer hours, meet new people, and get a certificate and recognition! Plus it’s totally flexible around your schedule! How it works: 1. Sign up for ER Teens on our website 2. Connect with a Coordinator via Zoom, email, or text 3. Plan a project idea together, or use one of our guides 4. Complete your project with support whenever needed 5. Chat with other participants and professionals over Zoom and group chats 6. Finish your project with a debrief, and celebrate! What kind of projects can you do? Anything to help the environment! - Host collection drives or swaps to reduce waste - Fundraise for one of our wildlife conservation partners - Educate younger kids with eco-activities - Use art or multimedia to raise awareness for an issue - Start or expand your school’s eco-club with Earth Rangers ER Teens is here to support you every step of the way! Ready to get started? Email erteens@earthrangers.com for more info, or sign up here.
Check out our website & Instagram! Can’t wait to meet you! BTW these projects look great on resumes and post-secondary applications :)

The Board of Directors represents the leaders of our agency and serves as a working board that oversees the long term strategic vision and overall health of the organization. Directors approve the organization’s philosophy and continually review the management’s performance while working toward agency goals. The Board of Directors will also annually review and approve plans for funding in view of organizational goals. Board members have a list of responsibilities that they renew every year during the annual election at our Annual General Meeting.

Be trained to provide ground search and rescue services for emergency situations * assist where needed at evacuation centre or emergency operations centre throughout Northumberland County * provide community support to Port Hope Police Service and Cobourg Police Service

Poppy Campaign, decoration committee, Colour Party (walking, holding flags and attending multiple events), meat rolls, fundraiser support, and working in the kitchen 

Reporting to the Fund Development Team, assist in reaching out to potential donors, sponsors and partners via email and/or phone to support fundraising campaigns.   

• research into potential donors, partners and sponsors for financial and/or in-kind donations
• initiate and maintain communication through email and phone
• effectively convey CCD's mission, values adn fundraising goals
• provide information and encourage participation
• provide the FD Team regular updates on outreach activities and progress
• report any feedback, concerns or opportunities for improvement to campaign strategies

Assist staff by helping out at community events in Durham Region work in shifts to help staff the CCD booth for a few hours pick up and/or return CCD booth and materials to the local Hub * booth set-up and/or tear down * greet and engage with visitors to the booth * converse with visitors in promoting volunteering, services and other CCD initiatives

Assist with special event fundraisers * sponsorship recruitment * donor relations, stewardship * marketing, communications 
 
During the Covid-19 pandemic, though we have fewer volunteer opportunities than usual, we are still accepting full volunteer applications