Volunteering rush over Christmas
[20 December 2006 | City of Sydney]
Christmas triggers a tide of goodwill in Sydney, with hundreds of people applying to
volunteer for projects over the holiday period, according to figures collected by The Centre for Volunteering.
Offers to volunteer through The Centre triple over Christmas compared with other times of the year.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said Christmas is a time when some organisations need extra support from volunteers, but help is required throughout the year.
"Sydney is a City with great heart and the significant increase of people volunteering at Christmas confirms what a kind and generous city we can be," Ms Moore said.
"Whether it is volunteering at your local charity or donating to the City's official Christmas charity, RSPCA NSW, there are many ways to help out this Christmas."
The City of Sydney supports a number of charity and community groups. It has committed to distributing $4 million in grant programs and a further $3million in-kind over the 2006/2007 financial year.
Some of these groups are still in need of volunteers at Christmas time including the Red Cross' 'Telecross' project and OzHarvest.
"Through the City's grants and sponsorship program, we are able to help a large number of exceptional organisations striving to improve the lives of residents in the City. But there is always more to be done and Christmas is a time when people can think about what they can do for their community," Ms Moore said.
The Centre for Volunteering is the peak body in NSW promoting and supporting volunteering and community participation. Its mission is to connect people and organisations in order to enrich the community.
"Normally we receive an average of 20 people applying to volunteer each week but throughout the Christmas period this figure jumps to over 60 people each week," Lynne Dalton, CEO of The Centre for Volunteering said.
"Whilst this increase in volunteering interest is fantastic, there is still a shortage of volunteers in NSW across all sectors outside of the Christmas period. We have many people who have generously donated time for the festive season but our aim is for goodwill to be an ongoing priority."
For more information on the City's Cultural Grants and Sponsorship program visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/grantsandawards
For more information on the City's Christmas plans visit: www.sydneychristmas.com.au
Media contact: Fran Haysey on (02) 9265 9910 or 0418 603 561.
Christmas in the City is proudly supported by sponsors David Jones, Lindt and Christmas Cave and First Aid Sponsor Medibank Private.