Volunteers interested in supporting figure skating!

• Skate Ontario November Sectional Series 
• 2025 Skate Ontario Junior and Senior Provincial Championships
• Competition Info

The Oshawa Skating Club with Skate Ontario is hosting the above events and can use help! We are estimating 200 skaters, and their families will be attending. The events will be live streamed, as well as, advertised and promoted in Oshawa for the community to attend. The event is a special one as it is the last stop for Ontario skaters on their journey to qualify for national competitions.

We are looking for some volunteers to help pre-competition and during the event. Set-up is Nov 6 and competition days are Nov 7-10, 2024. 

Positions include:

• Admissions - assisting with sale of entrance passes, involves money handling
• Guest Relations - checking credentials and tickets, ensuring no one is in the wrong place
• Hospitality - volunteer snacks and meals, involves some cooking and food prep
• Ice Operations - keeps the competition moving, stationed at rink side, retrieving skaters
• Logistics - set up, building judges stands, trouble shooting issues and repairs, tear down
• Reception - skater check-in, notifying the officials of no shows

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BECOME A VOLUNTEER LETTER-WRITER TODAY!

Are you passionate about spreading joy and brightening someone's day? Do you have a knack for writing heartfelt letters? Join our dedicated team of volunteers and make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors in aged care homes in the area and across Canada.  

WHAT WE DO 

We’re an all-volunteer organization that mails cheerful, personal, handwritten letters and cards to elders in care facilities and senior programs. Since April 2020, our dedicated volunteers have sent countless letters and cards in 30 languages, spreading joy and connection around the globe!

WHAT WE OFFER 

• A chance to make a direct and positive impact on the lives of seniors.
• Flexibility to volunteer from anywhere, anytime, year-round as an individual or with a team.
• A special program to verify service hours for students and professionals seeking community service credits. (Separate registration is required.)
• Tips and guidance for crafting personal and meaningful letters available on our website and social media platforms.
• An inclusive environment where volunteers are encouraged to share their own uplifting stories and experiences without making assumptions about the recipient's background or abilities.
• All ages and abilities are welcome! 

IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR VOLUNTEERS

• Ideal volunteer: Writes unique, friendly, conversational letters to connect with the reader and make them feel special. We offer ideas and sample letters on our blog and social media.
• You’ll mail your handwritten letters to one of our partner facilities. After you register with us and write some letters, log on to our user portal to choose a destination.
• We operate on a two-week cycle; please don't sign up for letters until you have the time and supplies to mail them. Every two weeks - e.g. September 15, September 29, October 13, etc. - our mailing list resets, and new requests for letters become available for you to claim.
• Expenses: Postage, writing materials, envelopes. You can send multiple letters in one large envelope to save on postage.
• You won’t know the name of the reader. Address letters as “Dear Friend.”
• This is not a pen pal program; while you may occasionally receive a response, most seniors don’t have the physical ability or resources to write back to you.
• We have no staff, physical office, or phone. Please email volunteer Lindsay for support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Join our team of volunteers and commit to writing letters on an ongoing basis.
• Focus your message on sharing a bit about yourself to make each letter unique and special. Seniors tell us that these personal stories are their favorite part of the letter!
• Limit affirmations and general well wishes, as they can come across as impersonal when overused.
• Avoid sensitive topics such as religion, holidays, health and politics.
• Keep your message positive!
• While handcrafted cards are welcome, they are not required; your handwritten message is what matters most. It doesn't need to be fancy.
• Our partner facilities in Canada are requesting letters in 10 different languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
• Create a group activity for your friends, employees, co-workers, classroom or club members.
• Team up with a public library to host a letter-writing event.
• Post our flyer on social media and community bulletin boards at libraries, cafes, bookstores, stationery and craft stores, and apartment complexes.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US

• Make a direct and tangible difference in the lives of seniors who may be feeling isolated or lonely.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive community dedicated to spreading kindness and compassion.
• Experience connection and satisfaction that comes from knowing your words have the power to bring joy and comfort to someone you've never met.

GET STARTED

1. Register with us on our website at https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/ and choose the registration option that applies to you:

• individual
• student (for students requesting community service hour verification, including student clubs)*
• group

2. Contact Lindsay if you have any questions.

3. THE FUN PART: Write some friendly letters!

4. When you're ready to mail them, log into our web portal and choose a destination facility.

5. Keep an eye out for our email newsletter every Sunday, and connect with us on social media: LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook 

*Students and professionals requesting official documentation for community service credit should review our Community Service Guidelines and then complete our Registration Form. You’ll work 1:1 with a member of our Student Liaison Team. You will be asked to submit photos of your work for verification. We award one hour of community service credit for every four letters written & sent that meet our guidelines.

Join us in spreading kindness and smiles to senior citizens. Your words will make all the difference!

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

Support museum programs and activies by assisting with wayfinding, crafts and activities, building interpretation, and setup/take down.  

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

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 6, 2024.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is seeking leadership volunteers to help plan and execute Run for the Cure. When you become a committee member, you will be honouring the tens of thousands of women and men diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Canada and directly contributing to breast health awareness and breast cancer research.

Along with the other volunteer committee members, you will work collaboratively with CCS staff to ensure that the systems, national procedures and standards for the Run for the Cure are implemented and that the goals of the event are met.

Join the CIBC Run for the Cure today and help make a real difference for all Canadians impacted by breast cancer.

Must be 18+ to apply and complete the Canadian Cancer Society code of conduct.

Register here: https://support.cancer.ca/site/SPageServer/?pagename=RFTC_NW_volunteer

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

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

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